In 1907, Anna Jarvis led a campaign to recognize the second Sunday in May as “Mother’s Day.” It was after her own mother’s death that she’d decided there should be a day to formally recognize one’s mother.
Just two years later, Jarvis began campaigning against the very holiday she started. She felt the holiday was becoming too commercialized. A printed greeting card? She thought those were for people too lazy to write a heartfelt letter.
“A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world. And candy! You take a box to Mother—and then eat most of it yourself. A pretty sentiment!”
Jarvis never married or had children. A wealthy woman for most of her life, she died in abject poverty. She and her sister spent their entire life savings fighting against the commercialism of Mother’s Day.
Okay. So most of us are guilty of the pre-printed card. (Will Tog and TG send me Mother’s Day greetings via Twitter one day?)
But though it’s commercial, it doesn’t have to be trite. A beautiful tribute can be published right here in cyberspace with nothing but a great photo and a line about what mom means to you.
Herewith, my dear readers—-and the dear mothers they love.
Aliya S. King 