MOTHER'S DAY: A CELEBRATION OF LOVE AND GRATITUDE FOR MOTHERS AND MOTHER FIGURES

Once upon a time, in a world where love knew no boundaries, there existed a day that transcended time and culture—a day to honour the very essence of life's nurturing force. That time is today and this is the tale of Mother's Day, a fabric woven with threads of gratitude, spoken in whispers across generations and continents and observed by every James, Rachel and Tony, I don’t know why those three, but let’s not get caught up in the names. Grab a cuppa tea or your favourite bevvy, find a cosy spot by the window, and let’s have a delightful conversation about Moms and mother figures.

Before we get too far, close your eyes, make a wish, and let your mind wander off into the memories of the sweet aroma of Mum’s food. The sweet and savoury goodness of her kienyeji kuku boiling away in the sufuria, and the sound of her yelling at you to hurry up “wageni wake wako karibu kufika” Now that we’re back to our 13-year-old selves, it’s story time!!!

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EARLIEST MOTHER’S DAY

The earliest iteration of Mother’s day celebration can be traced way back to the ancient Romans and Greeks who celebrated their mother goddesses, Rhea and Cybele. Fast forward to modern times, and we find ourselves reminiscing about the good ol' days of the early Christians, who had this adorable festival called "Mothering Sunday." It was like their secret code for a day full of hugs, laughter, and showering their Moms and mother figures with love. They were the original trendsetters of Mother's Day shenanigans!

As the sands of time kept trickling down, the Mothering Sunday tradition decided to try on a snazzy new outfit and was for large parts celebrated as a secular holiday. It was like a makeover montage, with kids everywhere brainstorming to come up with the perfect combo of flowers, sparkles, and tokens of appreciation for their mothers. But, alas, popularity can be a fickle friend, and this custom eventually took a little nap. However, destiny had a surprise in store! In the 1930s and '40s, the American Mother's Day merged with our dear old Mothering Sunday. It was a match made in holiday heaven, bringing smiles and laughter to moms all over.

Did you know that the most popular gift for Mother's Day is a greeting card? Sweet words for mum are always a welcome sight.

AMERICAN MOTHER’S DAY

Let’s talk about “American Mother's Day”, shall we? It may not be as spiritual as the previous ones, but it’s every bit as special, at least in my books. In the 1900s, where a spirited lady named Anna Jarvis took up the noble quest of celebrating moms everywhere. After her beloved mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, soared to the heavens in 1905, Anna had a lightbulb moment. "Why not have a special day to honour the superheroes we call moms?" she thought.

But she knew she couldn't tackle this mission alone! Enter stage left, John Wanamaker, the big-hearted owner of a Philadelphia department store. With his financial support, Anna orchestrated the first official Mother's Day extravaganza in May 1908. Can you picture it? The air was buzzing with excitement.

Anna wasn't one to sit back and relax. Oh no, she had big dreams. By 1912, Mother's Day had spread like wildfire, gaining popularity in states, towns, and churches all around. Anna even formed the Mother's Day International Association, a secret society of sorts, to rally even more troops for her cause. In 1914, US President Woodrow Wilson stepped onto the scene and signed a measure officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. Ta-da! Confetti filled the air, and cheers of joy echoed across the nation.

So let's raise a toast to this marvellous day, a time to honour the incredible love and sacrifices that mothers make. Thanks to Anna's determination and a sprinkle of presidential charm, we have the perfect occasion to pamper and cherish our amazing moms, reminding them how truly extraordinary they are! Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers and Mother figures reading this. We appreciate you and we love you.