He planned it all out, to the intricate details of the decorations with how many balloons he needed to blow up, to the length of time each activity would take with a set time in between to travel to and fro. He had ordered the fanciest cake and the most expensive flowers, which were planted in an organic flower field. He had ordered the card with the most special effects and the confetti that shot out when it was opened. Best of all, the present he ordered was number one on all the magazine’s “Mom’s Most Wanted” list and was only available in limited supply, but he got it. Each little thing was planned and ready to be shipped out. He couldn’t wait for her to wake up and see all that he had done. He knew that all of his efforts would make him the best son in the world. His Mother’s Day gift and plans this year were even better than last year, which he thought was impossible. The next morning he awoke with groggy eyes and an eagerness in his stride. Expectant to see the delivered goodies and gifts on his doorstep, he looked out the window, and there was nothing. He opened the door and looked out into a storm of snow. He saw a notification on his phone indicating that he had received an email apologizing for the inconvenience and explaining that he could cancel his order with a full refund or expect it a few days in delay. The disappointment began to seep into his mind. Thinking his mother would wake up and think it was the most disastrous Mother’s Day that ever was, she woke up with a huge smile one her face and hugged her son. Awaiting the screams and lashings, he watched her as she peeked outside. A joyous expression came over her, as if she didn’t notice that he had nothing to offer her.

“Yes! All I wanted was to be stuck in this house all day with the best son in the world and nothing else!”

“Mom, I ordered a ton of incredible stuff to make today special, but it…”

“Honey, I don’t want anything! All I want is time, specifically time with you. That is what would make today the most special. This is the best Mother’s Day yet!”

The idea of Mother’s Day was originally celebrated by Ancient Greek Mythologists. Christians then began celebrating Mothering Sunday to celebrate the mother of Jesus, Mary, and the church. Going into the mid-1800s, Anna Reeves Jarvis created Mother’s Work Day Clubs to bring attention to unhealthy work conditions and Mother’s Friendship Day to reunite Union and Confederate soldiers after the Civil War. Around ten years later, Julia Ward Howe suggested an annual Mother’s Peace Day. Passionate about the idea, Juliet Calhoun Blakely created a Mother’s Day in Albion, Michigan. Mary Towless Sasseen and Frank Hering also shared mutual motivation to expand the awareness of the special day and began putting forth effort to spread it. Anna Jarvis’ mother had always wanted a day that celebrated the hard work and sacrifices that mother figures made. With her mother’s passing in 1905, Anna felt inspired to establish a day that celebrated mothers all around the nation. Now known as “The Mother of Mother’s Day”, Anna Jarvis’ efforts lead to Woodrow Wilson’s signature on a joint resolution that marked Mother’s Day as a holiday annually celebrated on the second Sunday of May. However, with time, Mother’s Day became less personal and more commercialized. The special day’s celebration had started to neglect the true purpose she had originally intended. Unhappy and dissatisfied, she worked to stop the commercializing altogether. When this wasn’t a success, she pushed to completely eliminate the holiday from the calendar.

Holidays are the perfect opportunity for commercialized marketing businesses to throw their best curve balls and hit consumers with their best shots. Holiday celebrations are consistently distracted from their original meaning and are rather dedicated to the consumers’ wants and wallets. There isn’t anything wrong with the gifts or goodies, but the celebrator’s mind has been taken off of the actual holiday and put on to what is only supposed to add to it. Society has become obsessed with the material and tangible, so drastically, that it has taken advantage of our holiday festivities and the opportunity to place our focus on more important and lasting valuables.

All that my mom wanted for Mother’s Day was to spend quality time with her family. She didn’t ask for expensive gifts or huge party endeavors; she simply wanted to be and to talk and to laugh and to make memories. Her innocent request was to celebrate with what we as blessed people have already been given: time. I’m convinced that my mother is the most selfless person on earth. Her Mother’s Day motives are not only stringing from her genuine heart but also from the original purpose of holidays. No, giving presents and making delicious food is not in vain. These are expressions of love and care and can be exciting parts of the celebration. However, our minds need to be refocused as a nation. Mother’s day is not over when the breakfast munching turns to dirty dishes or the gift’s wrapping is shredded to bits. Mother’s Day is a whole day to celebrate the mother or caretaker in our lives. We have the opportunity to thank her and to serve her. We have the occasion to show her how much we love her and how unbelievable she is. We are truly given this blessing not only on Mother’s Day but each and every day. So within all holidays, plan a celebration with “funzies” and “onezies”, but don’t become enticed by goods that what is really good is forgotten. Every day should be a day that our mothers love being our mothers.