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Show 2K The Salt Lake Tribune Sunday, May 5, 1985 . r. , r jww. TWa Suddenly, Mom was a genius T; - i ,' rf ' -f i; c: U I overnight Childhood memories of the lilacs were vivid the morning of her wedding. Mothers Day each year honors the service of mothers, such as Trudy Atkinson, who sews for her family while daughter Karee, 8, watches. Day honors mothers for service to humanity in every field Anna M. Jarvis is given credit for organizing in the early 1900s the moderobservance of Mothers Day n-day in America. But the idea was not original with her. She was influenced by her own mother who had tried some 40 years earlier to set aside a day to commemorate mothers for the service they render. In 1868, her mother, Anna Reeves Jarvis, organized a committee in her hometown of Grafton, W.V., to sponsor a Mothers Friendship Day, designed to reunite families that had been divided during the Civil War. That effort was somewhat successful, but her mothers dream of an annual memorial mothers day to pay tribute to mothers "for the service they render to humanity in every field never gained widespread acceptance. Two years after her mothers death, in 1907, Anna M. Jarvis sought to make her mothers dream a reality. Then living in Philadelphia, Pa., she invited a number of friends into her home. She explained to them plans of an observance in honor of mothers an observance her mother tried to begin 40 years earlier. The next year, in 1908, the idea began to bear fruit. On the second Sunday of May, mothers were honored in church services in both Philadelphia and Grafton. At the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, the minister, Dr. H.C. Howard, preached a sermon based on the biblical quotation, thy mother Miss Jarvis gave a carnation her to each mothers favorite flower mother and child in attendance. The idea, however, did not catch on immediately. Miss Jarvis worked diligently for support of the idea. She wrote hundreds of letters to church and business leaders, to newspaper editors and to Congressmen. Two years later, in 1910, Gov. William E. Glassman of West Virginia gave Mothers Day its first official recognition by proclaiming it a state holiday. By the next year Mothers Day observances were held in all states across the country. In 1913, Congress, in a Joint Resolution, made Mother's Day a national holiday, to be observed the second on the anniSunday of every May versary of her mothers death. The Joint Resolution was signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson, who issued the first Mothers Day proclamation in 1914, designating that Mothers Day was to be celebrated in the United States and all its possessions. With the support of the President of the United States and the Congress, the popularity of Mothers Day spread. In 1934, the U.S. Post Office commemorated Mothers Day by issuing a three-cestamp depicting the famed portrait of Whistlers mother. But the popularity of the special day went far beyond the expectations of Miss Jarvis and even to her embitterment. nt Woman, behold thy Son; Son, behold Now you can have your old comforters and pillows made new again, or turn that old down sleeping bag into a comforter or pillow. You will save Vi the price of purchasing new. Come in for a free estimate rCITAB 29 W. 800 So., between Mam & SLC West Temple BEDMC1G &DGWC1 OPEN MON. THRU FRI. 10 TO 6 PHONE 355-9- 2 1 1 show their appreciation to their mothers. She was not prepared for what followed. Many sought to make money from the idea by encoui aging Miss Jarvis initiated lawsuits against those seeking to gain profits from her idea, and when these efforts failed, she turned from the world. She died in 1948, deaf, nearly blind and childless. influenced by the But her idea had efforts of her own mother brought happiness to countless mothers throughout the world. Japan, for instance, acclaimed her idea as a great American gift. Today, Mothers Day is observed in many ways, from a telephone call to the giving of a gift. From research study completed by the Mothers Day Council, it was found that 74 percent call their mothers on Mother's Day; 70 percent take her out for a Sunday dinner; 91 percent send a greeting card; 57 percent observe the day with a special activity; and 91 percent give a Mothers Day gift. And while Miss Jarvis didnt like the idea of commercializing Mothers g as simple or Day, today elaborate as it may be represents a way that children can give thanks, appreciation and love to their mothers for the service they render. And that, in the first place, was the purpose behind the idea nearly 120 years ago of setting aside a day to honor mothers. gift-givin- gift-givin- Editor's note: In this tribute to her mother, Debbie Anderson of West Valley City seems to reflect the feelings that many young people have concerning their mothers as they leave home and begin a life of their own. i i Looking at the alarm clock in the morning light I awoke suddenly, and got out of bed to 5 30 a m. inspect the day. The sky was bright blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds, and in the yard, my mothers lilac bushes were heavy with fragrant blossoms. (She always seemed to love it when wed gather handfuls of those lilacs for her.) It was the same as any other summer morning, and yet it was like no other morning In all the 19 years that I had lived in this house, the view from my window remained unchanged, but after today I knew that it would never appear exactly the same way again. After today home would no longer be this comfortable house, but a one bedroom apartment across town. Because that day I was to be married, and everything that I had been taught led up to this happiest day of my life; the result of my mothers caring and determined teaching. It was also on that day that my mother became a genius overnight. She knew about oven temperatures, recipes, and, best of all, she had her own washer and dryer that I could use! Slowly, but surely, I began to d meals (especially appreciate things like those with something besides hamburger), clean clothes, and all the comforts of home. When I was growing up I sometimes had the impression that my mother didnt have a job. But she sure put in the overtime. While some of my friends were coming home from school to an empty house, my mother would greet my brothers and me with an ovenful of cookies I could always count on her to be there when I was sick or needed a ride home on a snowy afternoon. I will be the first to admit that my mom and I did not always see during my high school years. In fact, our relationship began to deteriorate quite suddenly. She didnt remember what she promised. She didnt remember being young. She didnt think I should drive the car. My mother and father were repetitious and had a knack for saying, I only punish you because home-cooke- eye-to-e- I love you. I couldnt wait to go to college and get a real job. In the meantime, my dear mother was raising six children (there were 18 years between the oldest and the how she youngest, I was second), and I dont know survived the rowdy lot without suffering motherhood burnout. Im sure the symptoms were there, but somehow she consideralways came through. That was pretty good, been the perfect commercial could have our family ing for Excedrin. But it didnt take me long to realize that what my mother had taught me was tne result of a real job; a real important job I realized mothering requires long hours and low pay She must be willing to work overtime on weekends, holidays and summer vacations. Energy, imagination, intelligence, endurance and flexibility are required. She must have the ability to lead, instruct and guide, along with having a warm, affectionate personality. I am proud to say that my mother has all these qualities, many of which she acquired through years of on the-jo- b training. And she has sacrificed so much to give her family everything Shed like a beautiful wardrobe, but spends the money on things for the kids or a surprise for Dad. Shed like to travel, but is content for now to take a trip down to the store once in awhile. She has a talent for writing poetry and singing, but is now usually accompanied only by the dryer in the laundry room. Now when I go home for Sunday dinner, my husband and I welcome the change from barbecued hamburgmeal with all the ers and Kool Aid to a trimmings. I even appreciate green beans now. I sometimes wish I could turn back the clock and make up for all the years that we werent the best of friends. But I know that all I can do is to let her know how much I appreciate all the love and work that she put into making me what I am today. She has set a great example for me. She has told me often how much she loves me, and her feelings are also expressed in many other ways. What her family is today is a result of days and years and a lifetime of quiet words and moments, her sensitivity and selflessness, spiritual support, and a great deal of full-cour- thoughtfulness. What a shining example I have to follow. Ive realized that the most important job anyone can have is to be a mother. I want my terrific mom to know I love and appreciate her. Than! for everything. how-muc- |
