One of the many things that has come out of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the reconnection of families. The time spent together has reignited relationships at home.
Whilst I acknowledge that not all family structures are the same, for many, this Sunday is a day of celebration and honouring. As we celebrate Mother’s Day in 2020, it may look quite different to any other year due to travel restrictions, social distancing measures or isolation factors. One thing is true: we are all part of history.
Speaking of history, according to abc.net.au, the origins of Mother’s Day in Australia finds its roots during the years of the American Civil War (1861–1865) and is accredited to ‘American writer and women's rights activist Julia Ward Howe who appealed to women to unite and bring peace throughout the world’. Whilst still just an ideal, it wasn’t until 1908 that her idea gained traction at the hands of Anna Marie Jarvis. Jarvis held a church service to honour the legacy of her mother Ann Reeves Jarvis who had been a peace activist, had nursed wounded soldiers during the Civil war and had held mother’s work club days to address public health issues.
“At the heart of it all, however, remains the strength, resilience and courage of all those who get to call themselves “mum””
She wished to see the work of her mother continued, and in 1914 her campaign paid off as the then president of the USA, Woodrow Wilson, declared that every year, the second Sunday in May would be recognised as Mother’s Day.
Having suffered losses during WWI, Australia was to wait until 1924 before celebrating Mother’s Day. A Sydney woman named Janet Heyden had become concerned for the well-being of some aged and forgotten mothers at Newington State Hospital, and rallied support from schools and local businesses to donate gifts for the ladies.
As time has progressed, so too has the nature of the celebrations. There remains the recognition and the gifts, and there have since been opportunities to gather as families near and extended.
At the heart of it all, however, the strength, resilience and courage of all those who get to call themselves “mum” remains. When Sunday comes around and it is Mother’s Day across Australia and elsewhere around the world, our beloved mums in the Calvin community may not get to have the reunions with the family as they deserve, but please know, that though we may be physically apart from you, we are together, thankful and inspired by who you are to us.
Happy Mother’s Day and may God bless you today and always.
Ken Holloway – Director of Operations