Opening Reflection
Mother’s Day in the United States has origins in the 19th century, with Ann Reeves Jarvis organizing clubs to improve children’s health and Julia Ward Howe calling for a “Mother’s Day for Peace” in 1870. The official holiday was established by Anna Jarvis, who campaigned after her mother’s death in 1905. The first official celebration occurred in 1908 in Grafton, West Virginia. By 1914, President Woodrow Wilson designated the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. Originally intended for personal celebration and gratitude, Anna Jarvis later opposed the commercialization of the holiday.
When we celebrate Mother’s Day, we are professing our gratitude for our mothers and those women in our lives that have cared for us and have nurtured our spiritual, emotional, physical and intellectual growth. This week, I want to reflect on gratitude.
The Essence of Gratitude
It is acknowledged that not everyone’s experiences with their mothers are positive. If this has been your experience, this section of my post may be challenging for you; however, I encourage you to continue reading as there may be valuable information here for you.
I will have been around for 48 years this year; my mom is now in her mid 70’s. Watching her age has been oddly weird for me. While I think of my parents eternally young, it is strange to see the older bodies they inhabit these days. It is even weirder to think of myself as an older parent.
Gratitude is a lost art in our society, and we do not honor our elders as we once did. When we honor our mothers, we are doing more than just merely acknowledging them. We are taking an opportunity to offer a deep sense of gratitude for their selfless love and sacrifices.
Offering gratitude to our mothers is about cherishing those precious moments and recognizing the profound impact mothers have on shaping our spiritual, emotional, physical, and intellectual beings. Understanding gratitude in the context of motherhood, we begin to see the transformative power of expressing thanks. It is through these thoughtful gestures and quality time spent that we can truly honor the spirit of motherhood, creating a tapestry of love that spans generations.
Ways to Show Gratitude
In relationships, I talk about how gratitude must be an embodied practice. It is more than nice words of affirmation and gifts, it is something contemplative, a practice that is practiced every day. I want to share three possibilities of sharing gratitude for the mothers in our lives. Two are going to be expected, one is completely out of the box.
If you are divorced/ separated dad
Sometimes things don’t work out for a lot of reasons. This suggestion is not for everyone. I have heard lots of reasons why things did not work out for you and your ex. But you did have kids and that does mean something. To those kids, they still may love their mom and think the world of her. As their dad, you are their role model. And if those kids mean something to you, honoring their mom for her part while difficult can share a profound and impactful statement around the notion of harboring anger and resentment. By modeling respect and gratitude towards your children’s mother, even in difficult circumstances, you teach them the value of forgiveness and appreciation, which can profoundly influence their emotional growth. So, buy the kids mom a flower or send her a card thanking her for the gift of your kids, even if you don’t like her.
If she is your wife
Recently, I observed my wife achieve a significant milestone by completing her Master’s Degree in Nursing. This accomplishment was a long-held aspiration for her, and after dedicating considerable time to raising our four daughters, she finally found the opportunity to pursue this goal.
My wife has made substantial sacrifices for our family. If the mother in your life is both your spouse and the mother of your children, it is likely that you share a successful business venture and life partnership. Taking Mother’s Day as an occasion to reflect on and appreciate the efforts your partner has made to enrich your lives and bring joy to your home should be an ongoing practice rather than confined to a single day.
Let this weekend serve as a reminder to renew the habit of expressing gratitude if it has diminished over time.
If you are a child
Generally speaking, we have pleasant memories about our mothers. Mother’s Day is a time to take a pause and thank the women who brought us into this world and continue to give us life. It is a time of remembrance for those we have lost. Mother’s Day is time to remember the hope and resilience that define the essence of motherhood. As we navigate the complexities of our own lives, it’s essential to recognize the lasting influence our mothers have on us, shaping our character and guiding our paths.
Spiritual Reflection- Gratitude as a Practice
Last year, I explored the mothering qualities of God. In this article, I aim to discuss the nurturing attributes of God and how they resemble the mothering characteristics we observe in our mothers. As we grow, we are taught to consistently offer thanks and praise to God, which helps us develop a practice of gratitude. Instead of emphasizing individuality, I seek to examine how we can contemplatively honor our mothers.
Considering our mothers, we reflect on the ways they have provided us with not just the physical sustenance needed for survival, but the emotional and spiritual nourishment that propels us forward. As we reflect on the importance of honoring our mothers, we consider how embodying gratitude can transform our daily interactions and foster an enduring legacy of respect and love. Celebrating their triumphs and acknowledging the relentless dedication they have shown, we can cultivate a richer connection that transcends mere words, creating an everlasting bond rooted in mutual appreciation and reverence.
Conclusion
While we only set aside one day to honor our mothers, it is not enough to consider the many sacrifices they have made to not only their families, but also to the society as a whole. Often, mothers are the fabric by which the family is stitched to. They have been a beacon of strength and hope in times of war and famine. They stand by us in in our times of need. The practice of gratitude must be a daily practice. By embracing gratitude as a daily practice, we honor their efforts and sacrifices, cultivating a deeper appreciation that transcends the occasional acknowledgment. This reflection on gratitude not only strengthens our relationships with our mothers but also enriches our spiritual connection, reminding us to carry forward these nurturing qualities in every facet of our lives.
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