¡Feliz dia de la mamá! Happy Mother’s Day!

Celebrations of motherhood go back to ancient times. Many cultures worshipped a mother deity: the Goddess Isis in ancient Egypt; Cybele and Rhea in ancient Greece; and Pachamama in the Incan culture of South America.

Mother’s Day as we know it was established by Anna Jarvis in 1905, who campaigned to get the holiday officially recognized. In 1914, President Wilson signed a proclamation making Mother’s Day an official holiday to take place each year, on the second Sunday of May.

Interestingly, Jarvis crusaded against the rampant commercialization of the holiday by card and flower companies, who even as far back as the 1920s were taking undue advantage of the capitalist aspect of the holiday. Sadly, capitalism won and Mother’s Day now ranks as the third most commercial holiday in the United States, following Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

Becoming a mother over seven years ago has truly been the greatest gift of my life, cliché though it may sound. My daughter is a delight, at times feisty and silly, at times tranquil and wise. She’s an adorable learner, yogini, artist, and friend who can be as stubborn as a mule or as cuddly as a kitten. My heart has expanded in untold ways thanks to being her mother.

However you do or do not celebrate the official Mother’s Day, motherhood is definitely an amazing adventure of love, care, kindness, and guidance that’s worth celebrating, every day.

Sweet Messages for your Mama

Instead of sending a generic store-bought card, create a homemade card, or send her a heartfelt email. Include something sentimental, like these cute pictures of animal moms with their young, a favorite poem or one of these lovely wisdom quotes on motherhood:

“There is no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.” ~ Jill Churchill

“A mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend.” ~ Unknown

“When you are looking at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will ever know.” ~ Charley Benetto

“There is no role in life that is more essential than that of motherhood.” ~ Elder M. Russell Ballard

“We are born of love; love is our mother.” ~ Rumi

“Mother: the most beautiful word on the lips of mankind.” ~ Kahil Gibran

“A mother is the one who fills your heart in the first place.” ~ Amy Tan

“A mother’s love is more beautiful than any fresh flower.” ~ Debasish Mridha

However you celebrate it, Mother’s Day is a time for love, family, friendship, and enjoyment. Due to the pandemic, this year it’s even more important to reach out to your mother and other cherished maternal figures in your life with a thoughtful note or meaningful phone call. If your mother has passed away, devote some time to remembering her fondly and honoring her legacy.

Mother’s Day is a day dedicated to expressing love, devotion, and gratitude to our mothers. How do you celebrate your mother?