Since the day in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed the bill to officially honor Mother's Day, May has become a time of reflection about our moms and our relationships with them. It began with Anna M. Jarvis, daughter of the woman who had brought awareness of the poor health conditions of her Appalachian community, Anna campaigned hard to memorialize her mother and her achievements with a special day, because as she remembered her mom saying, " there are many days for men, but none for mothers." As I watch my mom withdraw further and further into her own world, I find myself missing the person she once was. She was not your typical mom that felt a need to teach her daughters cooking and sewing, but she taught us how to appreciate nature and the wonder of little things, like the translucent green color of May flies or sparkle of Mars upon the horizon. Of course, I didn't always appreciate that, the rebellious teenager that I was, but as I grew out of that, I discovered just how unique a mother she was. And I'm glad that I made the effort since then to tell her thank you for teaching me about picking wild strawberries, and spotting yellow violets hidden in the grass, and for teaching me integrity and honesty, and I'm glad
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I said it while she could still appreciate my words. As a daughter, like all daughters, my feathers would be ruffled if I were ever accused of being like "Mom," after all, I had made every effort not to be, and. I see my daughters do the same. But that's a good thing, as we strive to emulate the good qualities, and work to discard the not so good. As a mother I watch my daughters with great pride, for their incredible courage to overcome what life has thrown their way, for their hard working ethics, and their many talents. On occasion, against all their best efforts, a little of me shows through in them, and yes, sometimes even my mother, and I chuckle. I will pay tribute to my mom this Sunday, by taking her out to brunch, not nearly enough to pay her back for endless nights of childhood ear aches, or worrisome teenage antics, while at the same time my daughters will take me out, and as they wish me a happy Mother's Day I plan to let them know that all the joys and agonies were worth every minute, before it's too late. Happy Mother's Day!