M-O-T-H-E-R         Howard Johnson "M" is for the million things she gave me, "O" means only that she's growing old, "T" is for the tears she shed to save me, "H" is for her heart of purest gold; "E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining, "R" means right, and right she'll always be,

Originally Mother’s Day was for “Mother’s Day of Peace.” It was conceived as a day to encourage women to rise up and work for peace. In 1872, Julia Ward Howe, author of the lyrics to the Battle Hymn of the Republic, was horrified by the ravages of the Civil War that claimed the lives of countless mothers’ sons. She suggested that a day be set aside each year when mothers could grieve their losses from war and join together to build a world that is nurturing, safe, and compassionate for their children and future generations. Mother's Day is a time for honor and celebration for the Mothers. So we celebrate this day on 9th May.  During the 1600's, England celebrated a day called "Mothering Sunday". At that time many of the England's poor worked as servants for the wealthy. As most jobs were placed far from their homes, the servants would live at the houses of their employers. On Mothering Sunday the servants would have the day off and were encouraged to return home and spend the day with their mothers. A special cake, called the mothering cake, was often brought along to offer a festive touch.
 
Some historians claim that the predecessor of the Mother's Day holiday was the ancient spring festival dedicated to mother goddesses. In the ancient Greek empire the spring festival honored Rhea, wife of Cronus and mother of the gods and goddesses. In Rome the most significant Mother's Day-like festival was dedicated to the worship of Cybele, another mother goddess. Ceremonies in her honor began some 250 years before Christ was born. This Roman religious celebration, known as Hilaria, lasted for three days - from March 15 to 18! 

"...To revive the dormant filial love and gratitude we owe to those who gave us birth. To be a home tie for the absent. To obliterate family estrangement. To create a bond of brotherhood through the wearing of a floral badge. To make us better children by getting us closer to the hearts of our good mothers. To brighten the lives of good mothers. To have them know we appreciate them, though we do not show it as often as we ought... 

Mothers Day is to remind us of our duty before it is too late. This day is intended that we may make new resolutions for a more active thought to our dear mothers. By words, gifts, acts of affection, and in every way possible, give her pleasure, and make her heart glad every day, and constantly keep in memory Mothers Day; when you made this resolution, lest you forget and neglect your dear mother, if absent from home write her often, tell her of a few of her noble good qualities and how you love her. 

A mother's love is new every day. God bless our faithful good mothers. " - Anna M. Jarvis on the Purpose of Mother's Day