Did you know that the first official Mother's Day celebration in 1908 was actually a memorial service for Ann Reeves Jarvis, organized by her daughter, Anna Jarvis?
Early in the 19th century, Ann Reeves Jarvis established “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs” to educate women about childcare and promote unity in their communities. Later, in 1870, Julia Ward Howe issued a "Mother’s Day Proclamation," calling on mothers to advocate for peace. Inspired by her mother’s work, Anna Jarvis campaigned tirelessly to establish a national holiday in honor of mothers. Her efforts paid off when, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially recognized Mother’s Day as a national holiday.
What began as a movement for activism, peace, and unity has evolved into a day to honor women as the heart and soul of the family. It feels especially fitting that the first official Mother's Day was a daughter’s tribute to her beloved mother.
While Mother's Day is a joyful celebration for many, it can also be bittersweet for those of us who have lost our moms. No matter how much time has passed, the day can bring a sharp pang of longing.
My mom wished to be buried in a cemetery, just as her mother and grandmother were before her. One way I honor her memory is by visiting her grave with fresh flowers twice a year—once on Mother’s Day and again on her birthday in November.
Was your mom cremated? Bring flowers home or place them somewhere special in her honor. (I do this too!)
Every year on my mom’s birthday, my brother and I share a special meal featuring her favorite foods—usually country-style steak and banana pudding for dessert. It's a small tradition, but it brings us closer to her and keeps her memory alive.
Another way that I remember my mom is by wearing her jewelry. I have the last pair of earrings and a necklace she wore, and sometimes I put them on just to feel closer to her.
These little rituals act as a healing balm for the space she left behind in our lives, turning loss into a celebration of the love that endures.
If you ever feel called to carry a small piece of someone’s memory with you, I’ve created a delicate Memory Necklace with a wing, an initial, and a birthstone—something simple and meaningful to keep their spirit close.