peace day

The original intent in the establishment of Mother's Day was that it was to be a day for women to call for Peace. Julia Ward Howe, in 1870, wrote the Mother's Day Proclamation to unite women against war...inspired by the work of Ann Jarvis, who organized Mother's Work Days (beginning in 1858). The purpose of the Work Days, or Work Groups were first, to improve sanitary conditions in military camps for both sides of the Civil War, and then later, shifted focus on the reconciliation of Confederate and Union neighbors. In the late 1850's! How progressive and edgy!

Howe wasn't sucessful in her attempt to get formal recognition for Mother's Day, but we still have her prophetic call:

"From the voice of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with
Our own. It says: "Disarm! Disarm!
...Let women now leave all that may be left of home
For a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace..."

Wow. These words are better than bouquet of teleflora flowers or a box of chocolates. (Don't get me wrong, I love flowers, and someone dear to me is a florist who is one of the most generous and loving and committed people I know.) But, let's get to the root of things....let's celebrate Mothers Day in its orginal intenti--not the way that Hallmark hijacked it...by working and talking and creating our dream of peace for the devastated Earth and the great human family....

I love you Mom~
You ROCK!