The Perfect Mother’s Day Gift is You

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So, what is Mother’s Day? Mother’s Day is a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed in different forms throughout the world. America’s modern version of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908, though her mother had also worked toward this effort. In reality, celebrations of motherhood predated our current forms, and date back to ancient Roman and Greek times.

Through Jarvis’ effort, it became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. Jarvis would later denounce the holiday’s commercialization and spent the latter part of her life trying to remove it from the calendar. While dates and celebrations vary, Mother’s Day traditionally involves presenting moms with flowers, cards, and other gifts.

Mother’s Day has become very commercialized, but from a mother’s point of view it is quite simple. She doesn’t need to be showered with presents, cards, and flowers – not that she doesn’t like them – but spending time with you is the most precious gift she can receive. You are born, grow, break bones, scrape knees, survive flus and illnesses, and are the source of many a sleepless night (think driver’s licenses and prom nights).

Please spend the day with her if you can. It can be very simple. Bring her coffee or tea, a rose, and her newspaper in bed and then cuddle up no matter your age. But please, when it’s time for breakfast, let her help. She’s spent her life making breakfast, lunches, and dinner. It’s part of her job, and she will actually feel excluded. If you plan some extravagant meal, she’s likely saying to herself, oh my, it will take me all day Monday to put my kitchen back in order.

Our weather up here does not bode well this weekend for hikes and beach walks. You must also consider your own family’s environment and activity level. Include her in the plans. She might love muck boots and a rainy beach walk – if it is with you. Or…build a fire and snuggle in for a binge of Harry Potter movies, old westerns, Star Wars, or you family favorites. Order pizza for dinner. No mess, no cleanup, which is what paper plates are for.

It is not about the presents, the flowers, the cards, or the food. It’s about you and your time!