The month of May is upon us with its kaleidoscope of color and, of course, Mother’s Day—the day set aside to show appreciation to those we hold in that maternal place of honor. In my family, it was yet another cause for celebrating with food. I have many fond memories of Mother’s Day dinners, topped off with luscious, mouth-watering desserts.
Fundamentally, the word mother elicits the notion of one who is the origin, source, or protector. It’s said there is no greater love than that of a mother, which some may argue for varying reasons. And I’m sure that statement could be debated by many loving, nurturing dads. Still, did you ever wonder how our tradition of celebrating mothers started?
In America, Mother’s Day originated as the concept of Julia Ward Howe, in a proclamation she presented in 1870. Twelve years earlier, she wrote The Battle Hymn of the Republic, after becoming distraught over the loss of life during the Civil War. She appealed to mothers everywhere to come together in a protest of war and the act of sons killing other mother’s sons. She called for an international Mother’s Day to celebrate peace and motherhood and June 2nd became the designated date.
The notion caught on in several North American cities, in part because Howe funded many of the celebrations herself. But when she was unable to continue her funding, the celebrations ceased, with the exception of Boston, where Howe’s holiday carried on for approximately ten more years.
Following Howe’s lead, Anna Reeves Jarvis, a leader in her West Virginia community, held a Mother’s Friendship Day, in an effort to re-unite families and neighbors who had been divided between the Union and Confederate sides of the Civil War. Years later, after Jarvis’ death, her daughter petitioned her mother’s church for the creation of an official Mother’s Day, in remembrance and in honor of peace. The daughter’s request was honored and on May 10, 1908, the first official Mother’s day was celebrated, drawing a huge congregation. Jarvis’ daughter arranged for white carnations—her mother’s favorite flower—to be distributed. Two carnations were given to every mother in attendance. Today, white carnations are used to honor deceased mothers, while pink or red carnations pay tribute to mothers who are still alive.
In 1908, at the request of the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Assoc.), a U.S. Senator from Nebraska proposed making Mother’s Day a national holiday. In 1909, despite the proposal’s defeat, 46 states, and parts of Canada and Mexico, held Mother’s Day services. Anna Reeves Jarvis’ daughter (named Anna Jarvis) worked endlessly to petition state governments, businesses, churches, women’s groups, and other institutions/organizations. Her efforts finally paid off and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May, as a national observance called Mother’s Day. Sadly, despite her life-long commitment to honor her own mother, as well as mothers everywhere, Anna Jarvis died in 1948, blind, poor, and childless. Through her efforts, and those of her mother, Anna Reeves Jarvis, and Julia Ward Howe, mothers earned the appreciation of our nation.
Even though it’s become a commercial holiday, Mother’s Day still remains an important event in many families. And of course, nowadays, traditional moms are sharing the spotlight with nontraditional moms. If we think in broader terms, or define our maternal roots in something other than our biological identity, we recognize the most maternal constant in our lives: Mother Earth. She is the consummate provider and protector, withstanding more than her share of abuse. Our world, our planet, abounds with a myriad of maternal energy. We are truly blessed.
This month, I offer a sweet vegan recipe in celebration of moms everywhere. And I celebrate my mom, who was my best teacher and dear friend.
From the Heart,
Julie
For more info on Mother’s Day, visit: www.mothersdaycentral.com
This is a moist, yummy lemon cake that disappears fast.