The Second Sunday in May
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)
Have you ever paused to think about the season in which we celebrate Mother’s Day? It arrives in springtime—a season bursting with new life, blossoms, and vibrant color. What a fitting time to honor our mothers and mother figures - the nurturing women who have poured love into our lives.
The years seem to pass so quickly. A beloved great-grandmother of mine passed away fifty years ago. My mother has been gone thirteen years, and my daughter—just one year now. Time moves forward whether we are ready or not, carrying both joy and sorrow in its wake.
For many, Mother’s Day is not a time of gathering, but of remembering. Not everyone can celebrate the special day with their mother, daughter, grandmother, aunt, or niece. If your loved ones have passed on, perhaps this day can become a quiet space to reflect on cherished memories—holding close the moments that still live on in your heart.
Dr. Seuss has a quote that says, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." And that's good advice when we have lost our special people - smile because we had them for a while.
While researching the history of Mother’s Day, I discovered a few meaningful insights. In the years following the Civil War, women became increasingly passionate about advocating for the rights and well-being of others. It was not an easy path, but their determination left a lasting impact.
Julia Ward Howe—abolitionist, women’s rights activist, and author of The Battle Hymn of the Republic—called for a day to honor women and promote peace. For a time, her efforts led to the observance of “Mother’s Day for Peace.”
Later, Anna Jarvis sought to honor her own mother, Ann Maria Jarvis (1832–1905), by establishing a national Mother’s Day. Before the Civil War, Ann Maria Jarvis had worked tirelessly in Appalachian communities to improve health and sanitation for families. During the war, she cared for wounded soldiers on both sides—Union and Confederate—demonstrating compassion that crossed all divides. In the years that followed, she organized “Mother’s Friendship Day” to help heal communities and restore unity.
After her mother’s passing on the second Sunday in May 1905, Anna Jarvis pursued the creation of a national holiday—not centered on activism, but on honoring the love and sacrifice of mothers. She envisioned a day marked by sincerity: handwritten letters and simple white carnations.
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed the first national Mother’s Day, to be observed on the second Sunday in May.
Sadly, it did not take long for commercialism to overshadow Anna’s original vision. Greeting cards and floral sales replaced the heartfelt simplicity she had hoped for. Still, her desire remains a gentle reminder of what truly matters—love, gratitude, and remembrance. Read Anna Jarvis’ story and the tragic end to her life with the link below.
One of my favorite poets, Christina Rossetti, beautifully expressed the depth of a daughter’s love in her poem “Sonnets Are Full of Love,” written for her mother. It is well worth reading. I’ve provided a link below.
To all the women reading this—mothers, grandmothers, daughters, and those who nurture others with a loving heart—I wish you a Mother’s Day filled with peace, reflection, and love.
References:
https://womenshistory.si.edu/blog/history-mothers-day-global-peace-greeting-cards https://allpoetry.com/Sonnets-Are-Full-Of-Love
