Mother's Day...The Rest Of The Story!

    I hope those of you lucky enough to have
'Mom' still around will make sure you honor
her and show your love with the 'present'
she wants most. That, of course, is your
time.
    Visit and talk. If you can't visit call.
And if you're calling don't count the
minutes!
   This kind of individual attention is, I
believe, what Anna Jarvis had in mind when
she came up with 'Mother's Day" in 1858 to
honor her mother, Anna Reeves.
    What followed was a drama you might
think was designed for the late
Paul Harvey's 'Rest Of The Story.'
I researched it for a speech four years
ago and though I'd share it with you in
today's Blog.
    Anna Reeves passed away in 1905. Her
daughter, Anna Jarvis, swore on her
mother's grave that she would carry on
her quest to have a National Holiday
dedicated to 'Mother.'
    She worked hard to promote the idea and,
in 1912 her home state of West Virginia
officially adopted 'Mother's Day' as a
holiday.
   The whole country followed in 1914.
But, as Mr. Harvey would have said,
here is the rest of the story.
   Nine years after 'Mother's Day' was
officially recognized Anna Jarvis
became a MAJOR OPPONENT of what the
day had become! She resented the
commercialization that developed across
the country and fought as hard against
that as she had originally fought for
the holiday!
   In 1948 she was arrested for
disturbing the peace during one of
her demonstrations! Speaking about
'Mother's Day' Anna told a reporter
"I wanted it to be a day of sentiment,
not profit." Sounds like she became a
real tough gal!
   I don't think Hallmark or your
neighborhood florist would be very happy
with Anna!
   Still most of you will probably be
giving your mom cards,and flowers, and
candy. That's still nice!  But, as Anna
Jarvis would probably have insisted,
give yourself...while you still can!
    Hope you have a Happy Mother's
Day and that all you NEWS is good!

Anna Jarvis
Founder,then hater
of Mother's Day!