For Slovenia, it is on 25 March. If you live in Russia, this day of recognition occurs on 27 November. Citizens of France, Morocco, Haiti, Sweden, Bolivia and Poland have until the end of the month (May) to find a gift, and those in Hungary, Lithuania, Mozambique, Portugal and Spain presented their cards last week. Most of the world, however, will be celebrating Mother's Day on Sunday, 8 May..
What would we do without mothers? She is by far the hardest working member of the family. She may work full time at a job outside the house, and then return to a full-time job (that no one else wants) inside the house. She rarely has a day off. Then again, she may not know how to take a day off anymore. Why? It is because she works for her family out of pure love. In particular, she wants the very best for her children - and maybe even for her husband.
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A true mother is made of two main ingredients: unflinching loyalty and endless compassion. She will never let you down and always listen to your concerns, and she will be your mother whether you are 14 or 64 years old. You can always count on her to care about you. Period.
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In ancient Rome, humanity understood how important a mother was to both her family and society. On 1 March, Romans celebrated Matronalia - a holiday dedicated to appreciating not only mothers but all women. The goddess Juno (or Hera in the Greek pantheon), daughter of Saturn and guardian of women, was worshipped for her powers over childbirth. Married couples visited a temple on the Esquiline, one of the seven hills of Rome, presented flowers and asked Juno to bless their marriage. By wearing loose garments and taking out the braids in their hair, young married women symbolically asked the goddess to help them bring forth children.
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This was more than just a day for wives, however. While married women and girls received gifts from their husbands and lovers respectively, female slaves were given a feast by their mistresses. Hence, everyone feasted on Matronalia - a celebration of motherhood, womanhood and all of humanity.
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Indeed, a nation or a society can be judged by how it treats its women. Governments that prohibit women from enjoying equal access to education, jobs and an equal voice in political affairs are not legitimate governments. They are patriarchal tyrannies.
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One prominent example is Iran. The religious leaders (all male) in Iran interpret the Koran to maintain their patriarchal power. Fatimah (605-632AD), born on 20 May to the Prophet Muhammad, has been traditionally regarded as a role model for women for supporting her father in difficult times, and she serves as the symbol for Mother's Day in Iran.
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It is her mother, Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (555-619AD), who might best serve as an exemplar for Muslim women in the 21st century, however. Supposedly, the Prophet was attracted to her for being fiercely independent and an able and shrewd businesswoman. Legend says that it was she - not Muhammad - who first broached the subject of marriage. Does she not sound beautiful? And she was beautiful because she was allowed to be a full partner in society - as all women deserve to be full partners in all societies. Ultimately, we are not a world of men and women. We are a world of human beings.
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In 1832, the Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Mazzini (1805-1872), nicknamed the 'Soul of Italy,' made a profoundly correct assessment of women and told his fellow men,
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"Love and respect woman. Look to her not only for comfort, but for strength and inspiration and the doubling of your intellectual and moral powers. Blot out from your mind any idea of superiority; you have none."
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To all the mothers and all the women who have made sacrifices throughout the world and throughout history, we are eternally indebted. And you are wished a Happy Mother's Day.
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(Picture: Juno - Jupiter's wife, Click on to enlarge)
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J Roquen