By Kristine McGinn
Mother’s Day is one of the most widely celebrated occasions worldwide. It is not reserved to honour only our biological mothers, but rather to honour anyone who has cared for, nurtured and shaped our lives like a mom. Behind the flowers and greeting cards is a rich history and a growing conversation about how this special day has evolved.
The history of Mother’s Day dates back to the early days of the 20th century in the United States, and it was thereafter declared a Canadian national holiday in 1914. The holiday was the brainchild of a daughter as a tribute to one woman, her biological mom. The original intent was to be a personal Memorial Day to offer thanks for the blessings of a good home. Since then, a lot has changed, and Mother’s Day has taken on a lucrative life of its own. What started as a tribute to one woman has grown and expanded into an impressive commercial holiday, second only to Christmas. According to sources, Mother’s Day currently represents a $2 billion consumer spend each year in Canada alone.
Now don’t get me wrong, our mothers are worth every penny spent. After all, if you believe that children are our future, our mothers are the artists who mould and shape that future. Mothers are most often a child’s primary attachment, nurturing with unconditional love and acceptance. They shape our self-esteem, character, empathy and ability to manage emotions and future relationships. They guide, educate and model adaptive behaviours. Simply put, our mothers teach us the way in a world that is big and daunting and sometimes unforgiving.
As a mom of three grown children myself, I believe that motherhood is the most important job in the world. It’s underrated, undervalued and both challenging and rewarding. Many mothers say that motherhood is the greatest work of their lives. I would tend to agree.
This year, in honour of our mothers and mother figures, I invite you to reclaim Mother’s Day and focus on authenticity and connection. Look for ways to honour your mother in the same way she honoured you as a child, in a simple, impactful and meaningful way. Here are some practical suggestions.
Write a heartfelt letter or card: In our family, we don’t buy cards for each other, we make them. Why leave the words you want to express to some random person paid to write mushy content? Create your own content with references to specific times, dates and moments that matter. I can tell you firsthand that this is a priceless gift that keeps on giving. I have kept all the cards my children have given to me through the years, and when I miss their presence, I go back and read them, smile and remember the impactful moments they reference like it’s happening in the here and now.
Spend quality time together: Leave your phone at home and carve out time dedicated solely to your mom. This could be a walk in the park together, cooking a family favourite meal, or simply sitting down for a meaningful conversation. Listen to your mom’s stories and remember she is a person, too, doing life for the first time, just like you. You won’t regret it, and your mom will cherish it.
Create a homemade gift: Whether it’s a photo album that highlights moments you and your mom have shared, a craft, or her favourite baked treat, homemade gifts show effort and thoughtfulness that cannot be replicated commercially.
This year, in June, my own mom turns 90. I am forever grateful for the moments we have shared, and neither one of us remembers what we bought for each other through the years. But we do remember the focused, dedicated, uninterrupted times we have enjoyed creating memories that count and that last a lifetime.
