Did you get a pop-up on your computer reminding you this Sunday is Mothers’ Day? Yup, it is the second Sunday in May, officially Mothers’ Day. Do you know how and why this special day shows up on our calendar?
I have been preparing for a Church class presentation on Methodist women, past and present and have discovered many fascinating women. These courageous women, on whose shoulders we stand, deserve to be celebrated.
Anna Maria Jarvis is one such person. Her life could be material for an historical novel. Never a mother herself, she was the spear head for Mothers’ Day becoming a recognized holiday.
A life long Methodist, she and her mother worked for the improvement of women’s lives, especially in West Virginia and Philadelphia. Anna’s mother had often expressed a wish for a day to honor mothers. After her mother’s death in 1905 until 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed an declaration naming the second Sunday in May as “Mothers’ Day”, Anna held religious services honoring mothers and started the tradition of giving white carnations.
“Its whiteness is to symbolize the truth, purity and broad-charity of mother love; its fragrance, her memory, and her prayers. 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 mother love never dying.“
Most of us do not assign Victorian symbolism to our gifts of flowers, but it is interesting to know how it all got started!
Anna Jarvis became so upset with the commercialism of Mothers’ Day that she worked until her death trying to have the official declaration rescinded.
“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. And candy! You take a box to Mother—and then eat most of it yourself. A pretty sentiment.” Anna Jarvis
So in honor of Miss Jarvis, honor a woman or women that made your world better–in your own words!
Mothers’ Day opens the door to so many mixed feelings. Anna Jarvis wanted to honor her mother whom she had cherished–a woman who had been a great role model and who had encouraged her to learn, to grow and to serve. Many of us were so privileged, but there are persons who did not had good experiences. Have you noticed that several on-line businesses give persons the option to opt out of Mothers’ Day ads, acknowledging that Mothers’ Day can be painful for some? I am grateful for my mother, grandmothers and my children who helped shape the person I became. But I am also grateful for the women who “mothered” children in a classroom, who took foster children into their homes, who loved their husband’s children as their own, who gave their child up for adoption– and all those who worked to make this world better for all children.
How did the women in your past influence the person you are today? Do you read because you were read to as a child? Did you choose your career due to a particular woman’s influence? Are your special recipes passed down from family? Are your acts of kindness mirroring what you witnessed?
My love of sewing/quilting is from my grandmothers, my mom and some patient home economics teachers. Their encouragement allowed me to do “my sewing thing”. For me, sewing has become another way to make connections between generations of women.
Mothers’ Day is a reminder to me to appreciate the generations of women in my personal and collective past. Due to the work and sacrifices of these women, I can vote, hold positions of leadership in my church, receive an education, manage my finances and make my own choices about my health, career, and family. I was shown love and how to love. I am grateful!
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What do we have new to share with you? It is the season of graduations, soccer games, track meets, conferences, recognition banquets and anniversaries–so we don’t have a lot this week but stay tuned–next week we should have finished several.
A bright baby quilt with a Minky backing is perfect for that new baby in your life. The quilt is 41″ x 48″. The machine quilting has butterflies just like the print! There is batting in the quilt giving it a bit more body. The quilt is very washable. $50
If you like cats, here is one for you!
Every one of these pastel cats are smiling! This “quilt” is more of a blanket because there was no batting used making it very foldable. The backing is Minky– textured polyester, that is so soft. It measures 48″ x 54″ and is $50.
And of course, we have more hand embroidered tea towels with ric rac! (Wrap that Mothers’ Day gift in a tea towel, mom with appreciate the sustainability of the wrapping!). $9 each
We were given this fun quilt previously purchased at a quilt auction, but never used.
These different Halloween prints were set on point and framed. The triangles on the sides use the same print — a collage of holiday symbols. Look at the corners-I like that idea! It is machine quilted. 62″ X 62″ $75.
The backing is a patchwork of Halloween prints.
(We hang the larger quilts over a railing in a stairwell–that is why you see fingers or other body parts in these photos!!)
Can you believe this lovely quilt was made entirely from donated fabric in our stash!
Sorry for the blurry photo–the one below shows off the fabric prints and colors better.
Ordinary fabrics made special by the combination of colors and prints. The floral borders help to create the illusion that the blocks are blossoms. The backing is the same floral print. Machine quilted and hand bound, the quilt measures 54″ x 64″ and could be yours for $125.
My wish to all my “Quilty” friends is that you have some time this special week end to do what you love best!
Quilts, Etc. 