Mr Hyde of the Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day as we know it is such an innocent and profound day. We honor our mothers during this day, we give them presents. We enjoy spending time with them and sharing memories. It’s just such a nice and sweet day to celebrate.

But very few people know the sad story of the founder of this day. Anna Marie Jarvis will always be remembered as the original author of this beautiful idea, and the story would end happily if it was not for the black stain on its past.

On May 12 of 1907 she has held a memorial for her late mother who passed away two years earlier. After that she ran a campaign in her mother’s honor to make the Mother’s Day a widely recognized day. She succeeded and in 1914 it has become a nationally recognized holiday.

The holiday has become quickly commercialized and Anna Marie Jarvis had become soured over that. In 1920s she incorporated herself as the Mother’s Day International Association and claimed the copyright of the second Sunday of May.

She was active in her campaign against the commercialization and even once was arrested for disturbing peace. She has spent her family heritage on her campaigns against the holiday she created and died in poverty.

That is a sad story and gives food for thought. The real meaning of the day was taken over by superficial gifts and to cite Anna Jarvis, “A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world”; that stands true way too often.

Let’s remember the meaning of this remarkable day and honor our mothers from our heart. It’s not the gifts that matter to her but that you show your love. Make her a present, but add your heart into it.