Whether You Call it Mothering Sunday or Mother’s Day it’s the Best Day of the Year

Some tribes of people, like the Assam in Africa, don't call themselves families. They call themselves "maharis", or "motherhoods."

Chinese family names are often formed (begin) with a sign that means "mother". It's a nice way of honoring their moms long past.

Japan's Imperial family trace their descent from Omikami Amaterasu, the
Mother of the World.

Hindu scripture credits the Great Mother, Kali Ma, with the invention of writing through alphabets, pictographs and beautiful sacred images.

George Washington once said, "My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her."

Native American Indian women have long been honored with the name, "Life of the Nation" for their gift of motherhood to the tribes.

Buddha honored mothers when he said, "As a mother, even at the risk of her own life, loves and protects her child, so let a man cultivate love without measure toward the whole world."

In the Bible, Eve is credited with being the "Mother of All the Living."

During the 1600's, England celebrated a day called "Mothering Sunday." Servants would go home to see their families, bringing cakes and sweets to their moms. This custom was called "going a-mothering". Each mother would receive a simnel-cake (Latin for "fine flour) and mother's would give a blessing to their children.

Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia began the campaign that brought about the official observance of Mother's Day in the United states. Her mother died, and Anna wanted all mothers to be remembered. She asked that white carnations be the official mother's day symbol. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed the orders that made Mother's Day a national holiday.

Just nine years later, Anna filed a lawsuit in an effort to stop the over- commercialization of Mother's Day. She lost her fight. Now, cards, letters, candy and dinners out mark Mother's Day for most families. Anna had hoped for a day of reflection and quiet prayer by families, thanking God for all that mothers had done.

If you've ever watched a college football game when the camera pans the bench, few if any players are waving and saying hi to their dads. Dads are great, and they have their own day, but there is something about the sanctity of the great nurturer, the family cradler we call mom. And it's often not in what they say but what is done through a hug, a kiss, a cuddle, a nudge and whisper to be good. It is here where daughter and son pull from their best.

May all mothers be blessed to shine on their family without interruption. Mothers, the cradle of all.