This is the time of year when we honor our moms. It’s always observed the second Sunday of May.

Granted, we all have (or had) a mother. She’s most likely the first person to hold us close upon our birth. I truly believe there are women who absolutely were born to be mothers, and others I feel just as strongly that they should not be.

The latter being those mothers who abuse or neglect their own children. In 1908 Anna Jarvis began a campaign for a nationwide observance of Mother’s Day in honor of her late mother, a community health advocate. Anna Jarvis was deeply dismayed over the commercialization of Mother’s Day. Before she died in 1948, she admitted that she regretted ever starting the holiday. She also started the tradition of wearing a carnation on Mother’s Day. A colored carnation means that a person’s mother is living while a white carnation means that a person’s mother is dead. It was on May 9, 1914 that President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing Mother’s Day as a national holiday.

Motherhood should not be entered into lightly. After all, this is a lifelong commitment. There’s no “I changed my mind” once this path is taken. It’s the hardest, longest, mostly thankless, yet greatest, 24-hour a day job you’ll ever undertake! Gone is the day of June Cleaver as the perfect mom in “Leave it to Beaver”. Moms today not only take responsibility for the majority of care for the children, but take care of the house, prepare meals/shop, doctor visits, play dates and the list goes on. All of this while holding down jobs outside of the home. According to Insure.com2013 Mother’s Day index, various tasks Moms perform at home would be worth $59,862 a year in the professional world.

If you have a great mother, thank God above for this blessing. If not, you can vow to become a great mother by learning from her mistakes. Don’t allow history to repeat itself through your life. Moms come in all shapes and sizes, ages and prior experience. Be a wonderful example, children learn what they live. Allow them to make mistakes, but be there to teach and guide them. Acknowledge mom on her special day and let her know that you appreciate everything that she’s done for you. By the way, one day a year isn’t enough- do it often!

There are 85 million moms in the United States. 82% of women between the ages of 40-44 are mothers. This compares to 90% in 1976 (U.S. Census Bureau). In 2002, the 55% of American women with infant children were in the workforce, compared to 31% in 1976, and down from 59% in 1998. Some other facts about Mother’s Day include:

* More people purchase fresh flowers and plants for Mother’s Day than any other holiday except Christmas/Hanukkah. * Mother’s Day accounts for of all holiday sales of flowers and plants. *Approximately 65% of all card sales occur 5 days prior to Mother’s Day. * 25.8 was the average age a mother gave birth for the first time in 2012. *Mother’s Day is the busiest day for most restaurants. *The number one gift most moms want is something homemade.

George Washington once stated “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe my mother. I attribute all my successes in life to the moral, intelligent and physical education I received from her.” Wow that’s pretty powerful- wonder how many children feel this way today? Henry Ward Beecher (minister) said “The mother’s heart is the child’s schoolroom”. Hint- teaching by example mom. Always let your children see you smile. That alone can convey a lot.

I found this poem the other day and thought it might be appropriate to share with our mothers at this time of year. It’s from Helen Steiner Rice, called “Help Yourself to Happiness”. Everybody everywhere seeks happiness, it’s true; But finding it and keeping it seems difficult to do. Difficult because we think that happiness is found, Only in the places where wealth and fame abound- And so we go on searching in palaces of pleasure; Seeking recognition and monetary treasure, Unaware that happiness is just a state of mind, Within the reach of everyone who takes the time to be kind- For in making others happy we will be happy, too.

For the happiness you give away returns to shine on you.

Please allow me to thank my children, stepdaughter, daughters-in-law and grandchildren for being such a blessing in my life. It’s wonderful to watch them grow into adulthood and become parents. I thank God every night for my family, what I consider the greatest blessing this side of heaven!

Here’s wishing all of the mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, etc. in the Ohio Valley a wonderful Mother’s Day with your loved ones. May God richly bless us all. And remember, the daughter of a good mother will be the mother of a good daughter.