The cynic in me could say it’s just another opportunity for Hallmark to make a bundle! In addition to all the popular holidays, there are cards for Friendship Day, Admin/Professionals Day, National Teacher’s Day, Sweetest Day, Grandparents Day and Nurses Day just to name a few. I admit I am partial to Nurses, Teachers and Grandparents days but, really, that should be a 365 days a year thing. You don’t really need a card to appreciate all that these people do for us. I am a little miffed that there is nothing for customer service reps, toll both operators, fast food drive thru window staff or geek squad members but give it time. Hallmark’s back room is feverishly working to come up with the next big day. Can’t you just envision giving a beautiful “personal” greeting card to the person handing you a Big Mac! (Free fries next visit, maybe?)
But Mother’s Day has been around for over 100 years. It’s a holiday known for brunches, gifts, cards, flowers and outpourings of love and appreciation but it has somber roots. It was originally founded to recognize women mourning fallen soldiers. It’s greatest champion was Ann Reeves Jarvis of West Virginia whom shaped it’s evolution to celebrate the best mother one had ever known, as a son or a daughter. To her, it was Mother’s Day (singular) rather than Mothers’ Day (pleural). It wasn’t meant to celebrate all those in her life that were mothers. But her idea of an intimate mother’s day quickly became a commercial gold mine centering on buying flowers, candy and greeting cards. This disturbed her deeply and she fought this trend for the rest of her life. Hallmark created it’s first Mother’s Day card in the early 1920s.
In looking through a myriad of Hallmark Mother’s Day cards, the conventional and the unusual, I couldn’t resist sharing this one:
Front of Card
I’m not a stripper.
I’m not in prison.
Inside Card
Nice work Mom!
Happy Mother’s Day
My life has been blessed being around strong women who have also been wonderful mothers. In keeping with Ann Reeves Jarvis’ bias, I am bound to offer my gratitude, tribute and love to my mother - the mother I know the best. She is 92 years of age and her mind is sharper than mine will ever be. Yes, “mother time” marches on and has taken it’s toll physically to some extent but she is remarkable nonetheless. She exists, and has always existed, with her hands outstretched, not to seek anything but to look for ways in which she can help others. She is the most selfless person I know. A testimony to her mother (and father) and her midwest, small town upbringing. She believes in the core values of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self control and has lived her life accordingly. I have been a lucky son (as have been both my brothers) and she deserves to know just how much she is loved and appreciated every day.
Thanks Mom. Nice work!
You are the best.
Happy Mother’s Day!
**Historical information on Mother’s Day attributed to Brian Handwerk’s article in National Geographic, 5/9/14.
