In 1908, Anne Javis of Philadelphia, USA, organised a memorial service for her late mother.
That was the beginning of what we know today as Mother’s Day celebrations and in a few days Ghanaians will join the rest of the world in what has become a popular gift occasion, third only to Christmas and valentine day.
It is a day when we reflect, remember and honour mothers for their immense contribution to the development of humanity.
The need for celebration
A sweet mother is the most sacrificing of all creation. Life starts in the woman and a mother has to go through nine months of caring for the unborn baby. Then she goes through labour.
Some women believe that if men were made to go through childbirth even once they would treat their wives better.
The fact however is that no man can go through the stress, trauma and pain of labour and live! If nothing at all, this is a reason to thank a mother.
Some animals walk on the same day they are born but a baby is the most helpless of all creation.
A mother with patience, compassion, tenderness and sympathy sacrifices all she has for the holistic development of her baby.
A mother will do anything even at great cost to make her child better.
A mother’s work is never done. She gives her all for the sake of her family. A good mother is aware that the most helpless of her children is her husband and she treats him with great love. A mother is conforming, cooperative and exerts greater effort to please others.
She finds it rewarding to give freely. A close look into the life of the Ghanaian woman, especially those in the rural areas should make Ghanaian men wonder how they find the energy and commitment to go through their life of selfless devotion.
There are many cases of mothers who sell their precious possessions to get their children through education while fathers look on and spend what they have on frivolous adventures.
When everyone including your father is leaving your door, your mother is the one who enters to give love, care and hope. It is therefore appropriate we celebrate our mothers.
How to celebrate mother’s day
Today put everything aside and make time for your mother. Make her happy in your unique ways to thank her for all she has done for you. Listen to your life story – the happy and anxious moments, the good and the bad things you did.
Nothing can adequately pay for what your mother has done for you. It is however advisable to send a gift to your mother.
Give what will be meaningful and will make good impression on her.
An important gift you can give is to give up a habit that makes her sad. Five years ago a man promised her mother to go back to church and today he is a devout Catholic. To her mother it was the best gift because she had prayed for it.
Resolve to be by reconciling with your mother. If you think she was abusive or unkind to you see the difficulties you went through by the actions and inaction as God’s way to make you stronger, but for this you wouldn’t be where you are now.
Without forgiving your mother you can’t love or be loved by another.
Sweet Mother, embodiment of true love
Mother’s Day is a celebration of love because a mother is an embodiment of true love by the sacrifices she makes to build humanity. Love has a price to pay by the sacrifices you make. No one shows this better than a mother.
Mother Theresa, who is affectionately called the mother of all the living, was a Catholic Sister and did not have children. Its also a fact that Anne Javis the originator of Mother’s Day did not have biological children.
Motherhood is therefore not about biology but about love and care. Our sisters, aunties, grandmothers who show love and care are mothers.
We must also appreciate that without fathers and children there are no mothers. Fathers and children who show love and care are also ‘mothers’ because they shore the core values of mothers. Mothers Day must therefore be a celebration for all. Celebrate this day in the joy of the Lord.
Happy Mother’s Day!