Is Mother's Day a day to honor mothers, or just another opportunity hijacked by commercialism? I remember my first homemade gifts from my two daughters carefully made with little kindergarten hands. They were so precious because they were made with love. Through the years those gifts gave way to store bought items prompted by the guilt blitz brought on by the media. Better known as the commercial. The advertisers put the pressure on spouses to show their affection with diamonds and weekend getaways. Breakfast in bed and a clean kitchen would have done the trick for me.
Through the years I began to find the concept of “Mother's Day” quite annoying. Then one day it dawned on me why. How come we only get one day to be exalted?. What about the other 364 days of the year? I know some of you must be thinking, “boy, she must have gotten some crappy Mother's Day gifts,” but that is not it at all. The point I am trying to make is that mothers should be appreciated and honored throughout the year and not just the second Sunday in May. I also take issue with the fact that it has been designated on a Sunday which is supposed to be a day of rest. Do you really think it is a treat to hustle mom off to an early breakfast at an overcrowded restaurant filled with noisy children? Not on my wish list!
Now I know what I am about to say might be offensive to some, but please hear me through before casting judgment or throwing stones. I am launching a boycott against Mother's Day and I would like to encourage you all to join me. I have even made some protest signs to get the ball rolling. “Being a mother is not a 24 hour event,” “Civilization would cease to exist without mother,” “Nobody can cook like mom,” and finally, “If it's lost, mom can find it!” If we are to uphold the sanctity of mothers everywhere we must act, and act Now! Otherwise, Mother's Day could go the way of Easter Sunday and be reduced to a plastic basket with stale candy.
This boycott will not be regulated to some picket signs and t-shirts and is not for the faint of heart. Psychological warfare will be inevitable. You will be engaged against the most aggressive and crafty adversary known to mankind. Your family. Yes, those darling children and your loving spouse will try to dissuade you from your mission. After all, a Hallmark card, a well placed diamond, and a quick meal at the local buffet and their duty is done for the year. But what about you? Is cooking, cleaning, shopping and doing laundry a 24 hour event? Is budgeting, carpooling, event planning, and worrying a 24 hour event? I don't think so. I could go on, but I think you get my point.
Can you say it with me? Mother's Day is not a 24 hour event! I know everyone here is not a mother or plans to become one, and you must be thinking. So what? Who cares? What's in it for me? Quite a bit! Have you ever heard the saying, if momma ain't happy, nobody's happy? I want that to really resonate with you. Think about it the next time you're trying to merge onto the highway during rush hour simultaneously with a mini-van loaded with a soccer mom and her soccer team.
What I propose is extending Mother's Day throughout the calendar year. Since this is a grass roots campaign, the beginning will be somewhat humble. We will start with subliminal suggestions. When someone greets you with good morning, you simply say Mother's Day. If someone sneezes, you say bless you Mother's day. When they say, happy birthday, you reply happy Mother's Day. Of course they will think that they have may heard wrong and will be too embarrassed to clarify. Not to worry. The seed has been planted and will continued to be watered again and again until everyday is Mother's Day. After all, Mother's Day is not a 24 hour event!
