MOTHER'S DAY

                                                      Mother's Day









   When her mother, Ann Reeves died in 1905, Jarvis Reeves organized the first observance of Mother's Day at the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, and later in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
   She chose the second Sunday in May because it was the closest to her mother's death. The white carnation, Reeves' favorite flower, became the holiday's symbol.
   Jarvis had no kids of her own but had a singular understanding of what Mother's Day should mean. For her, it was a day for children to visit their mothers at home and to remember the sacrifices that they had made. 
   She begun a letter-writing campaign, reaching out to anyone she thought could help to promulgate the idea.
   She wrote to president Roosevelt, Mark Twain, to every state governor, every single year.
   By 1914, when most states had already recognized the day, locally, the US congress passed a law designating Mother's Day a national holiday. One day later, president Woodrow Wilson issued an official proclamation.
   Today, over 90 countries celebrate Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May. Many other countries celebrate in some different dates.
   So, for you that are a mother, for you, that are about to become a mother, for the young ladies who one day will be a mother and even to some guys that became mothers for absolutely no other option, exercising his feminine side, here's my simple thoughts...

The things I never told you I'd like to tell you now;
Of feelings held contentedly in my heart, somehow;
Of thoughts and dreams, wants, and happiness too;
A Mother's prayer to finally share with you... 
Lord, govern their lives as you have mine,
Touch them with Your sweet divine,
Make them happy, guide their paths,
Tickle their funny bones, let me hear their laughs. 
Dry the tears sliding down their faces,
Hold their hands when the love heart races,
Make them stand tall when the burdens are great,
Prepare them to carry the loads of fate. 
Heal the hurts and sufferings of the spirit,
Make them listen until they hear it;
That sweet song of yours that will touch their soul
And carry them forward until they are old. 
Lord, let them see the meaning of life,
Protect them from the evils of strife,
Gently guide them in the path of your ways,
I pray, Lord, I pray for them everyday. 
I know, Lord, that I fell short many times;
In my guidance as "Mom" there were crimes,
Times that I failed to help them see
The beauty that you have bestowed around me. 
Take their hands and lead them forward
Give them strength to avoid the coward
And evil ones that lurk about
Waiting` to swallow them up and shout
The conquest of their gentle soul
Provide them the coin to pass the toll. 
Please make things right, Lord, once again
To help them to see the meaning of friend
And loved ones that hold them close to the heart
With a Mother that loves them, since the start.

   Happy Mother's Day...





Copyright 5/2017 Eugene Colin