“A mother’s arms are more comforting than anyone else’s.” ~ Princess Diana

“My Mother, my friend so dear,
Throughout my life, you’re always near.
A tender smile to guide my way,
You’re the sunshine to light my day.” ~ Unknown

In 1907, Anna Jarvis began a campaign to establish a Mother’s Day celebration in the United States.  Ms. Jarvis persuaded her mother’s church, St. Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, to celebrate Mother’s Day on the second anniversary of her mother’s death.  This was the second Sunday of May 1908.  Ms. Jarvis sent 500 white carnations to the church, hoping the flowers would be distributed to all mothers in attendance and in the community.   

By the next year, Mother’s Day was celebrated in Philadelphia, where Ms. Jarvis made her home.  Following this celebration, she and her supporters began to write to ministers, businessmen, and politicians trying to establish a national Mother’s Day.  They were successful and by 1911 Mother’s Day was celebrated in almost every state.  Furthermore, in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson made the official announcement proclaiming Mother’s Day as a national holiday which was to be observed each year on the second Sunday of May.

Additionally, the gift of the white carnations on that Sunday in 1908 began the tradition of gifting flowers on Mother’s Day.  In general, carnations express love, fascination, and distinction.  White carnations suggest pure love, while pink carnations carry the greatest significance, beginning with the belief they first appeared on earth from the Virgin Mary’s tears ~ making them the symbol of a mother’s undying love.

“Of all the special joys in life,
The big ones and the small,
A mother’s love and tenderness
Is the greatest of them all.” ~ Unknown

“Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.” ~ Unknown

“The love of a mother is the veil of a softer light between the heart and the heavenly Father.” ~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge

“Men are what their mothers made them.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“I will fight for my children on any level so they can reach their potential as human beings and in their public duties.” ~ Princess Diana

 

“Remember when you go into the world to keep your eyes and ears wide open.  And to be kind.  Love one another.  Take care of each other.  Tell the truth.  Always do your best…

Explore new paths and have fun.  Know that you are loved like crazy.  Give thanks for all your blessings.

Above all else, LOVE and you will do wonderful things in this world.” ~ Rebecca Puig

 

“It may be possible to gild pure gold, but who can make his mother more beautiful?” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

 

Dear friends, wishing all mothers a beautiful and love-filled day.  You are honored, loved, and appreciated for everything you do to make our world a better place.  And, these same wishes go to all the women who have spent their time and love mentoring and teaching those who are not their own.  You make a difference in the lives of many children.

Au Revoir,

Sandra

 

 

Images:  via tumblr and pinterest