For many, Mother’s Day is a time to reflect and show gratitude to the women and mothers who have been mentors and caregivers who helped shape us into who we are. In honor of this special day, we’ve asked a few of our featured family moms to tell you what Mother’s Day means to them.
Although Mother’s Day as we know it has more recent roots, early celebrations can be traced back to festivals held by ancient Greeks and Romans. In ancient Greece, people honored Rhea, the wife of Cronus and mother of the gods. People from all over Greece offered Rhea food, drinks and flowers.
The Romans also celebrated a different mother of the gods named Cybele, or Magna Mater, which means Great Mother. They even dedicated a temple to her, and in March, they participated in the Festival of Hilaria and provided gifts for the goddess.
The first official Mother’s Day celebration occurred in Grafton, West Virginia, on May 10, 1908. This event was made possible by the financial support of John Wanamaker, a Philadelphia business owner. His backing ensured the success of this inaugural Mother’s Day, which was marked by a large gathering at a local church and a simultaneous event at one of Wanamaker’s stores. Today, the church where the celebration was held is home to the
International Mother’s Day Shrine, a testament to the enduring legacy of this holiday.
Today, Mother’s Day is a time for us to express our love and appreciation for our moms. Many of us choose to do this by purchasing or making gifts, giving our moms a much-deserved day off, or planning special outings such as dinner or brunch. Flowers and cards remain popular gifts, and the National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates that Americans spend billions of dollars on holiday purchases, including the ever-popular Mother’s Day roses. Just be sure that you shop local this Mother’s Day and support our hometown Sponsors!
Newtown Edgmont Friends & Neighbors checked in with two local moms who were happy to share their thoughts on what Mother’s Day means to them.
Dineen Carpenter “I love to spend Mother’s Day as a quiet day to be with my girls. It’s also a time to celebrate with my own mother. We stay home and barbecue. I love having nowhere to be that day. The day begins with handmade cards that always make me cry and handmade paintings by our resident artist, Charlotte. Sometimes, it’s extra special when my birthday falls on Mother’s Day. That day, the Disco Ball starts in the morning, and we have a dance party all day! Really, it truly makes my heart happy that my girls know me so well!”
Meaghan Puliti “Mother’s Day is an opportunity to slow down and appreciate the endless, sometimes invisible work we moms do all year. It’s a reminder of what our moms did (and still do!) for us and gives us an annual chance to let them know how grateful we are for them. Most importantly, Mother’s Day is the day I remember being called “Mom” by those five little voices. It is the greatest title I’ve ever earned!”
Let’s face it: We owe a lot to our moms, and Mother’s Day is the perfect day of the year to show her how much you appreciate her and how much you care. A pampered mom is a happy mom — trust us!