Mother's Day: An Historical Event

Before we celebrate officially the day of Mothers, perhaps some insight on the history might be fun. After all, helping our kids understand its history, may help them understand why it's important to remember the event. I personally enjoy finding out the history of why or how special events came to be, so please allow me this small delight.
Think back to ancient Egypt; the Goddess Isis, she was the goddess of fertility. She was greatly worshiped and in those times, if a woman conceived, she blessed Isis and give the statue great gifts to show gratitude. Well, I am certainly glad we have come a long way away from that.
Mother's Day as we now know it, is due the dedicated work of one of our own US daughter's, Anna Marie Jarvis. She loved her mother, Ann Jarvis, so much that she sought to see a day commemorated to honor Mother's.In 1908 May 10th, the first celebration took place. By 1910, the State of West Virginia would be the first to declare it an official holiday, and soon after the rest of the states followed. In 1914, the US Congress passed the law making the second Sunday in May the official national holiday of celebration for motherhood. Andrew's Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia is now a National Historical Landmark and is dubbed the "International Mother's Day Shrine" as it was this church that Ann Jarvis was a committed Sunday school teacher. Anna Marie Jarvis decorated this church in white carnations in honor of her mother over 100 years ago. Wow, what an inspiring story!
Speaking of carnations, did you know that white carnations are used to honor deceased mothers, while pink or red carnations are used to honor living mothers? Interesting, I wonder if florist are hip to that knowledge.

Craft choice 1: Petal Pens
Use colored tissue paper, white, pink, or red, as appropriate. Use green pipe cleaners, and any ballpoint pen or pencil. Wrap the pipe cleaner around the pen or pencil concealing it entirely. Then grab the center portion of a sheet of tissue paper. Do the same to three additional sheets, layering each sheet on top of the other and slightly turned. After you have your layers, bunch, crunch, and fluff each sheet until you have a good layered petal look. You can trim up the edges if you'd like, or leave them. Attach the flower to the top of your pen or pencil using the pipe cleaner and then hot glue the closure. You can actually use other colors for a whole array of spring! Enjoy making Petal Pens with your kids and pass them on to wish any Mother a happy day!

Helping you have a Season Ready Home
~Crystal