Guest blogger Barb gets a jump on American Wise Women by celebrating Mother’s Day two months “early.”
Interestingly, social activist Julia Ward Howe introduced this holiday to the U.S. after the American Civil War. Who knew? Our inalienable right to sleep in on the second Monday in May is all due to the British!
This past Sunday, March 22nd, was Mothering Sunday in the UK. As a result, I had a very pampered day – the luxury of sleeping in, hand-made cards, lunch out, etc. It was a great day.
In modern times, Mothering Sunday is celebrated much like Mother’s Day in the US. It is a day when special respect is given to Moms, or Mums as we are known in England.
The origins of Mothering Sunday, which is always the 4th , or middle, Sunday in Lent, date back to the 16th century. At that time the fourth Sunday in Lent was traditionally a time when people visited their “mother” church, or nearest big church or cathedral. It was also on this Sunday that children who had gone off to work as servants away from home would traditionally be given the day to go home and visit their mothers and families.
A definite highlight of my day on Sunday was the lovely poem that my eleven year old, Carter, wrote for me, which I thought I’d share.
You are a glistening dove
Watching over me and teaching me.
You are comfort to me,
When I’m sad and cold.
You are protective to me,
You would give your life for me.
You are cheering to me,
When you give me special treats.
You are hard working,
Getting cherishing holidays organized.
You are loving and caring,
So when I’m gone, I miss you.
You are the cell in my heart,
Which keeps me happy.
You made me and put me in the world to live.
“Keep striding through life and do your best”,
You said.
It’s the little things that make me feel the best as a mother – an impromptu poem, a special hug, an unexpected “I love you, Mum” – whether it’s Mother’s Day or any other day.
What are the special “mothering” moments that stand out for other Wise Women?
3-24-2009 05:38:02
What a lovely poem by Carter!
My “special” mothering moment is a bit more odd. It was last night when my teen daughter and I raced back and forth through the house with a jar of peanut butter, each of us trying to “dump” the jar on each others bed. The men in the family thought we were nuts, but we were laughing hilariously. I love the fact that she and I can still be silly together.
(In case you’re wondering WHY the urge to leave a jar of peanut butter in a bed, my practice is to leave things left lying around the house in the guilty party’s bed. Thus, it is not uncommon for my daughter to come home to empty cups, wrappers, utensils in her bed. I guess the jar of peanut butter pushed her over the edge.
3-24-2009 11:20:41
Elaine, that is a cool story! I had images of the jar of peanut butter being open, but I guess (hope?) that it was closed???
3-24-2009 21:00:05
That’s an incredible poem Barb – other than being so special to you, I think there’s some real writing talent there!