Mother’s Day is celebrated across the world in more than 50 countries, though not all countries celebrate it on the same day. Countries that celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May, i.e. Sun 9^th May in 2021, include the USA, Australia, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Switzerland, Turkey and Belgium.

Anna Maria Jarvis (May 1, 1864 – November 24, 1948) was the founder of Mother’s Day in the United States. Her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis  had frequently expressed a desire for the establishment of such a holiday, and she helped start “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs” to teach local women how to properly care for their children. These clubs later became a unifying force in a region of the country still divided over the Civil War. In 1868 Jarvis organized “Mothers’ Friendship Day,” at which mothers gathered with former Union and Confederate soldiers to promote reconciliation.

After her mother’s death, Anna Marie Jarvis led the movement for the commemoration of Mother’s Day. Sadly Anna learned to hate the commercialisation of this important day, and spent her later years trying to have it removed from the calendar!

Mother’s Day today is celebrated in many countries, and is seen as the opportunity to thank mothers for their love and support throughout the year. The tradition involves bringing cards, gifts and flowers, and has become much commercialised.

What needs to be remembered is that mothers are there every day, not just on Mothering Sunday. They are the world’s very special people, and deserve love and appreciation every day they spend in our lives.