Celebrated on the 2nd Sunday in May, Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 13th, 2018.  In honor of mothers everywhere, we urge everyone to celebrate this important holiday for our givers of life, not only this weekend, but throughout the year by recognizing the strength, patience, and nurturing guidance only a mother has.

 

 

  • The First Mother’s Day was organized by Anna Jarvis in West Virginia and Philadelphia in 1908, in honor of her mother, Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis.  In 1914, Congress made Mother’s Day an official holiday to honor mothers around the country.  (Source: America’s Library)

“All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my mother.” – Abraham Lincoln

 

 

 

  • Can’t Go Wrong With Flowers:  69% of people plan to buy flowers for Mother’s Day in 2018, with carnations being given the most.  Pink carnations represent gratitude and love while red carnations signify admiration.  White carnations are traditionally given or worn in remembrance of a mother who is no longer living.  (Sources: Society of American Florists, FTD)

“The carnation does not drop its petals, but hugs them to its heart as it dies, and so, too, mothers hug their children to their hearts, their motherly love never dying.” – Anna Jarvis

 

 

 

  • Christmas in May:  $23.1 billion is expected to be spent on Mother’s Day, the 3rd highest annual holiday spending total behind only Christmas and Valentine’s Day.  The average person spends $186 for Mother’s Day, with jewelry, dining, and flowers being the most popular gifts.  Nearly 3 in 10 mothers prefer to receive a “gift of experience” (ex. spa day…hint hint).  (Sources: National Retail Federation, Oracle)

“A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world.”  – Anna Jarvis

 

 

 

  • Not “Mothers’ Day”:  Anna Jarvis stressed the singular “Mother’s Day” rather than the plural “Mothers’ Day” as the day was not to celebrate all mothers, it was to celebrate the best mother you’ve ever known: YOUR mother.  (Source: National Geographic)

“All women become like their mothers.  That is their tragedy.  No man does. That’s his.” – Oscar Wilde, from “The Importance of Being Earnest”

 

 

 

  • Special in All Languages:  All around the world, the word for the person being honored on this special day typically begins with the letter “M”.  It should come as no surprise that a baby’s first word is usually “Mama” (English, Chinese, Swahili), “Madre” (Spanish), Mutter (German), Mère (French), Moder (Swedish), Mataji (Hindi), or Máthair (Irish).  (Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

“To the world, you are a mother.  But, to your family, you are the world.”

 

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at PDS!

 

Jamie:  “My wife, Terri, teaches our kids how to be independent, to exercise patience, to have empathy towards others, to love one another, and generally how to make the world a better place. I teach them to listen to Mom.”

Shannon:  “It’s amazing how many times I open my mouth and sound just like my mother did!”

Trina: “If at first you don’t succeed, try doing it the way Mom told you to in the beginning.”

Laurie: “I’ve made it through the teenage years with 3 girls…now I know I can do anything!“

Ciera: “Being a mother is the greatest blessing I have ever received.”

Tom:  “Growing up, my mom would say “If I could raise your dad, it would make it easier to raise you kids.”  My wife, Kathy, certainly feels the same way about me and raising our boys.  Thank you, to both of you, for the love and support you continue to provide.”