While writing our bi-monthly newsletter I came across some facts about Mother’s Day that I found really interesting. Anna Jarvis of Grafton, West Virginia started the push for a Mother’s Day holiday 102 years ago. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May the official national holiday.
Did you know that the the National Restaurant Association says Mother’s Day is now the most popular day of the year to dine out? Or that Americans will spend approximately $2.6 billion on flowers, $1.53 billion on pampering gifts—like spa treatments—and another $68 million on greeting cards? Mother’s Day will generate almost 8% of the U.S. jewelry industry’s annual revenue with custom gifts. Those are astounding numbers!
But here’s something I think is really funny in a strange sort of way! By 1923 Anna Jarvis became a major opponent of what she felt was the commercialization of Mother’s Day. That’s only nine years! She actually spent all of her inheritance and the rest of her life fighting what she thought was an abuse of the celebration. She criticized purchased greeting cards as a sign people were growing too lazy to write a note.
Sadly, she was arrested in 1948 for disturbing the peace while railing against the commercialization of Mother’s Day. Before she died, she said she never would have pushed for the holiday if she knew it would get so out of control. WOW! Is that kind of weird or what? I read a lot about Anna and she was almost obsessed with her objections.
But to me, its continuing popularity is a sign that all Moms deserve a little extra appreciation.
Here’s a picture of me and my Mom taken on a recent visit to Florida where all my family lives.
I’m going out right now to buy her the nicest card I can find. Then I’ll write her a letter too although it may be an email!
Vicki
April 26th, 2011
No Comments »