Mother’s Day: Celebrating Unconditional Love
Mothers are the epitome of unconditional love and sacrifice. Mother’s Day is celebrated in many countries across the globe. It is celebrated to honour mothers/maternal figures and motherhood, and to show respect for them, their efforts, contributions, and selfless love. In India, Mother’s Day is celebrated on Sunday, 11th May 2025
The history of Mother’s Day can be traced back to the USA. Ann Reeves Jarvis was a peace activist who tended to wounded soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War and also created Mother’s Day Work Clubs to treat health issues faced by the citizens. She died in 1905. Her daughter, Anna Jarvis, organised a memorial service in her hometown of West Virginia for her mother on her second death anniversary.
Anna wanted to carry on the noble work started by her mother, so she took up the initiative to set up a day in honour of all mothers.
The very first celebration of Mother’s Day was held in May 1908 in Grafton, West Virginia, three years after her mother’s demise. Anna advocated that this day be declared a national holiday, and a few years later, in 1914, the 28th President of the USA, Woodrow Wilson, declared it a national holiday. It is celebrated on the second Sunday of May each year.
Mother’s Day is a reminder to us not to forget and to acknowledge all the care, love, and support our mother has for us. Such selfless love is not seen in any other relationship.
Celebrating Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is celebrated with a lot of fervour nowadays. There are Mother’s Day schemes in restaurants, special discounts in shopping malls, and special offers in spas, everyone is cashing in on this day. In the olden days, children would personally visit the gift shop to select and buy Mother’s Day greeting cards and small gifts as a token of their love and appreciation. Today, everything is ordered online, be it a celebratory cake, a pair of earrings, a high-end purse, etc. The personal touch is somewhat amiss.
The family members allow the lady of the house (Mother) to put her feet up and relax. The cooking and meals are taken care of by the family. Some children gift a spa visit to their mother or plan a surprise party for their mother. On this day, Mother will not do any cooking or chores. She will just sit back, read a book, listen to her favourite music, sleep, and do whatever she enjoys. This is one day when she can let her hair down and be herself.
Why is there only one day dedicated to mothers? Shouldn’t every day be a celebration of mothers and motherhood?
What Makes Mothers Happy
There are certain activities and chores that every child should do to make their mother happy.
- Wake up early
- Keep your school uniform/clothes ironed and ready
- Keep your cupboard neat
- Keep your bed made properly
- Keep your room neat and clean
- Help with chores around the house
- Study well with concentration
- Assist in / learn cooking (which will benefit you in future)
- Eat your greens! Don’t be a picky eater!
- Take charge of any daily chore/s
- Keep yourself presentable (no more skipping baths)
- Babysit your sibling/s
- Be polite and well-mannered
- Give her time
All these are for your benefit, as they will make you grow into a responsible adult. Mothers want very little, as they are very selfless. Nothing makes them happier than seeing their children happy and settled in life.
What to Do When Mother Ages
As a mother ages, she becomes less energetic and slower. Get her medical appraisal done once or twice a year to rule out any possibilities. Keep her mind occupied with any activity or hobby. Encourage her to make friends and meet new people in her hobby class. Teach her about cyber safety. Teach her the basic exercises / Yoga as they benefit her age, to maintain her balance and flexibility. Give her no stress. Ensure she has healthy meals, fresh fruits and vegetables. Schedule spa visits for her. Take her for outings. Cook her favourite dish and surprise her. Ask her to teach you the sacred hymns/prayers. Sit down with her for a while and talk. All she wants is some time from her children, who sit next to her and talk to her. Once the children are grown up, they are busy with their own lives and families. The trick is to take time out for your mother and be there for her.
That is all that a mother wants: no expensive gifts – just some time from your busy schedule.
Picture this: You live in another part of the town, close to your workplace. Send your mother a bouquet, and tell your sister to observe her reaction to the bouquet. After a while, surprise your mother with a visit, and ask your sister to observe her reaction. Your sister will tell you that your mother was pleased with the bouquet, but was overjoyed when you showed up. Such is a mother’s love, no material possession can beat the sudden surprise arrival of her child.
Such is the love of a mother for her children. Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful Mothers out there.
