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The role of motherhood has been honoured for centuries, but it wasn’t until 1914, after countless campaigning efforts by women such as Ms. Anna Jarvis, that US President Woodrow Wilson declared Mother’s Day as a national holiday to be held each year on the second Sunday of May.

Originally the purpose of Mother’s Day was to show respect for hard-working mothers and other women who contributed to peacekeeping campaigns that began after the American Civil War. It was to be a day in honour of all women who contributed outside the family, to humanity in general. Anna Jarvis was never married and remained childless, but she made sure that we honour those who care for their children, for their families, and for the human family as a whole.

The Tradition Lives On

Today, more than 46 countries around the world pay tribute on Mother’s Day to the women who give life and devote time to nurturing it. We celebrate the existence of our birth mothers, step-mothers, mothers-in-law, adoptive mothers, and other caregivers who stand in as mothers to us. Where would we be without them?

Over the past 92 years, women have faced many challenges as their roles in society and motherhood have evolved. Some women have left legacies in their wake; for example, Mother Teresa, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her work as a caring “mother” to thousands, and Princess Diana, who became an effective crusader against land mines and devoted a large part of her life to children with HIV/AIDS. Women continue to voice concerns about the challenges facing our world, and as individuals they continue to face challenges in adapting to their ever-changing roles.

Quite often I hear mothers say that every day is Mother’s Day, and I think that’s all the more reason to actually take a day and celebrate our vital role. So to all of you who have practised the role of motherhood in one way or another–Thank You–and have a great Mother’s Day.

An Organic Bouquet

This year, if you’re going to give your mother flowers, why not go all the way? Go organic. Hard-working organic farmers produce many beautiful varieties, which can be arranged into brightly coloured bouquets that lack only one thing–toxic haze.

As one organic farmer put it, “Organic gardening was here long before the merchants and their machines, and we organic gardeners will still be here long after the oil is gone and the world has quieted down again.”

Remember Her

Some mothers have a whole repertoire of memories while others are just beginning to build theirs. When my kids were younger they spoiled me with pancake breakfasts and adorable arts and crafts. But whether it’s from younger kids or older kids, whether it’s a creative card, organic flowers, organic chocolates, a day at the spa, or a gift certificate for a relaxing massage–I’m sure the main point for all of us is: They remembered.

Basket of Joy

Nestle these pampering treats on a new, soft bath towel in your mother’s favourite colour to create a gift basket for the bath:

• beeswax candles
• loofah
• Mama’s Bath Cookies
• natural, scented body talc
• bottle of organic wine
• organic chocolate

Mama’s Bath Cookies

These may take a bit of time to prepare, but at least you know what’s in them.

1/4 cup (60 mL) baking soda
2 Tbsp (30 mL) ascorbic acid
1 Tbsp (15 mL) borax powder, to soften
2 Tbsp (30 mL) powdered sugar, to bind
2 Tbsp (30 mL) sweet almond oil
1 tsp (5 mL) vitamin E oil, to preserve
1/4 tsp (1 mL) essential oil

Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper. Combine all dry ingredients in glass jar. Drizzle in almond oil and stir until mixture is moistened. Add vitamin E oil, place lid on jar, and shake until all ingredients are well combined. Mixture will be very crumbly. Press mixture into mini muffin tin or scoop into balls with a meatball shaper. Place shaped forms onto wax paper and allow to set for at least 3 hours. Reshape if necessary, then leave to air dry and harden,
about 10 days.

Drop one or two cookies into a warm bath and relax as they dissolve and release the fragrance of your favourite essential oil

Rita Bayer enjoys being the mother of adult children and writes and edits as she patiently awaits the arrival of grandchildren.

Source: alive #283, May 2006