Good Mornin’! Good Mornin’!
What’s your plan? Cook something awesome? Maybe go fishing? A funny or special card? Mother’s Day is upon us this Sunday. Hopefully, you’ve still got time to get something together whether it’s big or small, thoughtful or not.
It all began when Anna Jarvis just wanted to honor her mom, Ann Reeves Jarvis, after she passed away in 1905. Anna wanted to set aside a day to honor all mothers because she believed a mother is "the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world."
But wouldn’t you know it, in 1908, the US Congress rejected the idea. I think that was Biden’s first year in the senate. Lol. But Anna persevered and just three years later, every state was celebrating moms. President Woodrow Wilson would make it official in 1914 as the second Sunday in May.
But then Hallmark and others got into commercializing the day, much to Anna’s dismay. She even considered a lawsuit. She trademarked the phrase "Second Sunday in May, Mother's Day, Anna Jarvis, Founder" and created the Mother's Day International Association. And thanks to Anna, she created the spelling, Mother’s – a singular possessive. I reckon I’ll remember that now as when I first started this missive, I actually had to look it up. She wanted each family to honor its own mother and not a plural possessive commemorating all mothers in the world.
But I say honor your mother and any mothers who are special to you. My mom passed away back in 2014 but I really don’t remember it being a special day as a kid. I’d make a card and when I got older, I’d make sure to get the call in on that day no matter where I was living.
Who are some special moms to you today? I can think of countless ones who have made an impact or impression on my life. Some are teachers, some are friends’ moms and others are those who are just plain special. My mind is flooded with images of these women who took time to make my life more special. But they were just doing what they do maybe not even knowing the impact they had and still have today.
Sarah Ann Fletcher is a mom who gave so willingly of her time to knock the rough edges off and smooth out the music students she was given. She shepherded us all through each tough rehearsal. Mrs. Fletcher got our attention when needed with that “motherly voice” but it was her smile of approval that fed us, inspired us and helped us climb every mountain of competition and performance. Her perfect pitch and Carnegie Hall piano skills pushed us all towards excellence. Mrs. Fletcher was the entire orchestra and accompanist for hundreds if not thousands who stood on stage, in the glow of the spotlight. She humbly smiled and directed and played on as we hit our ques and notes (hopefully.) We never wanted to let her down – still to this day.
Happy Mother’s Day, Mrs. Fletcher.
And thank you Anna Jarvis for persevering to honor your mom and now everyone’s mom.
