Mother's Day

Mother's day falls every year on the second Sunday of the month of May.

I believe that the Ancient Greeks celebrated Mother's Day by venerating the Mother of the Gods, Rhea. It is not very far from our own tradition. We worship 'Mother' in so many forms.

She is Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth, Durga, the Goddess of Energy and Strength and Mother Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge. Not to forget Mother Kali, who protects us by destroying the evil in and around us.

How did the second Sunday of the month of May come about, to be dedicated to the honoring of mothers? I believe that in America, this particular day was anointed as the day of 'Peace' Subsequently, a devoted daughter coaxed the church to appoint Mothers day on the anniversary of her mother's death. That happened to be the second Sunday of the month of May. Thus was born Mothers day. 

I would like to share with you a poem sent to me by my daughter, by email. Since she too, is a great mother, I sent it back to her. I sent it to my daughter-in-law too, and now I am sending it to all you great mothers out there.

Here goes:  (It has been slightly shortened)

This is for all the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers saying, "It's OK honey, Mommy's here."
Who walk around the house all night with their babies when they keep crying and won't stop.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in
their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies.
This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.

For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year.
And then read it again. "Just one more time."

This is for all mothers whose heads turn automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up right away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.

What makes a good Mother anyway?
Is it patience? compassion? broad hips?
The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?

Or is it heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?

The need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?
And mature mothers learning to let go.

For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.
Single mothers and married mothers.
Mothers with money, mothers without.
This is for you all.
So hang in there.