Why Do We Celebrate Mother’s Day?
Why Do We Celebrate Mother’s Day? It was an ordinary Sunday morning, and the kitchen was suffused with a scent of vanilla because little Riya and her aunt were engrossed in mixing ingredients of a cake. Hurrying in flour smeared on her nose and with ...
Why Do We Celebrate Mother’s Day?
It was an ordinary Sunday morning, and the kitchen was suffused with a scent of vanilla because little Riya and her aunt were engrossed in mixing ingredients of a cake. Hurrying in flour smeared on her nose and with curious eyes, Riya questioned, “Aunty, why do we celebrate Mother’s Day?”
That innocent question became a beautiful conversation – one that may not have occurred to many of us amid the noise at gift-shopping and social media posts. So, let us pause and think as to why we celebrate Mother’s Day Celebration a day that does not come with all these flowers and cards but only celebrating the mothers for their unconditional love, strength and lifelong sacrifices.
A Celebration With Ancient Roots
Who would have thought that Mother’s Day is an old concept. It can be traced back right to ancient Greece and Rome. These civilisations had festivals for mother goddesses such as Rhea and Cybele. Later, in Christian traditions, there was a special day called Mothering Sunday and in Europe people wandered to visit their “mother church” and spend time with their family.
These, early celebrations, in their forms of presentations, had one common theme; they were to honor and appreciate the role played by mothers in society.
The Real Modern Story Ann Reeves Jarvis – Why Do We Celebrate Mother’s Day?
Nowadays the modern Mother’s Day started in the 19th century in the United States because of a woman called Ann Reeves Jarvis. She became a social activist, a peace promoter, who organized “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs” prior to the civil war to empower mothers with basic needs such as childcare, the child’s health, and hygeine at some point. She even organised “Mothers’ Friendship Day” after the conflict ended and families on opposite sides of the conflict were given the opportunity to gather in a bid to promote healing and unity.
Ann thought mothers played a big role in building peaceful and caring societies.
Anna Jarvis: A Daughter’s Devotion
After Ann had died, her daughter, Anna Jarvis, wanted to celebrate her mother’s memory. She dreamed of a day when people would think of and be thankful for the silent sacrifices mom’ make daily. Through her efforts she succeeded in 1914, when the U.S. declared officially the 2nd Sunday of May as Mother’s Day.
But, Anna’s idea wasn’t in terms of expensive gifts or booking fancy dinners. She thought of it as a personal day filled with love, where children and mothers get together and write to each other or write “thank you” to each other with love.
The Sad Turn: From Sentiment to Commercialisation -Why Do We Celebrate Mother’s Day
Over time, something unfortunate happened. A simple day of appreciation turned out to be over commercialised. Shops started selling pre-written cards, over-priced bouquets, and chocolates — in most cases, pushing people to disburse their money rather than actually share their love.
Anna Jarvis was deeply disappointed. She even went to battle against the commercialisation of Mother’s Day, declaring it had lost its true essence. She believed that money wasn’t the measure of a mother – it was how a mother showed her love in rupees.
A Return to Meaning: Celebrating from the Heart
Riya was thinking when she heard this story from her aunt. Then she smiled and stated, “This Mother’s Day, I’ll do something special for Amma at home – such as cooking for it, cleaning the house, and giving it a foot massage!
And, indeed, that’s what Mother’s Day is all about.
Below are some ways on how you can celebrate Mother’s day this year:
1. Spend Quality Time
Shut the TV and stow your phone. You sit with your mother and converse – truly converse. Ask her: her childhood, her dreams, her fights. To be simply present is a great gift.
2. Write a Personal Letter
There’s no shop-bought card that can replace a handwritten note. Write a note to your mother about the importance to you of what she means to you and has taught you.
3. Cook Her Favourite Meal
Anything from simple idli sambar to full biryani spread, cooking for your mother is the tender loving care that she will never forget.
4. Pamper Her
Give her a home spa dusk—a soothing foot bath, or a relaxing float in the kitchen while you clean up.
5. Make a Handmade Gift
If you like to draw, or craft, or sing, make something from the heart. It doesn’t need to be perfect, just you.
Let’s Celebrate the True Spirit of Motherhood – Why Do We Celebrate Mother’s Day?
The day that is known as Mother’s Day goes beyond a figure in the calendar. It’s a small reminder to take a step back and thank those women who made our lives—that weren’t just with their hands but with their hearts. It may be your mother, grandmother, aunt or any other mother figure this is the day to let them know the importance they have in your life.
Let’s not wait for one single Sunday in May. Let’s celebrate every day as a small valuation of love, respect, and gratitude.
