It’s that time of year where mothers are smothered with flowers and gifts from their loved ones. It occurs annually every second Sunday of May, and this year it will be held on May 10. This day is dedicated to the role of mothers and mother figures everywhere, including grandmothers, great-grandmothers, foster-mothers, and step-mothers. Even though it isn’t a federal holiday, and businesses still follow their regular schedules, it’s still a day of remembrance.

Mother’s Day comes from many traces of the world, such as Greece, the UK, England, and Rome. Today, the holiday is celebrated in about 46 countries. According to mothersdaycelebration.com, “The idea of official celebration of Mother’s day in the US was first suggested by Julia Ward Howe in 1872. Her idea spread but was later replaced by the Mother’s day holiday now celebrated in May.”

The founder of this holiday is known to be Anna Jarvis. Even though she never got married or had children of her own, she managed to become the mother to the holiday. From the same source, “Anna Jarvis got the inspiration of celebrating Mother’s Day from her mother, Mrs.  Anna Marie Reeves Jarvis in her childhood. As an activist and social worker, Mrs. Jarvis used to express a desire that someday someone must honor all mothers, living and dead, and pay tribute to the contributions made to them.”

Obviously, it doesn’t take much to make something happen if you put enough effort into it.

In the United Kingdom, Mother’s Day is celebrated just as it is in the US, with flowers, cards, gifts, and family meals. In Peru, it’s also celebrated on the second Sunday of May, and children often give their mothers handmade gifts. Peru’s Andean population, however, celebrates their version of Mother’s Day by honoring Mother Earth, or who they call, Pachamama. As stated in, www.care.com, “Pachamama is an ancient mythological goddess beloved by many indigenous Andean populations. Mythology cites Pachamama as the cause of earthquakes and bringer of fertility.”

All in all, it doesn’t matter how you celebrate Mother’s Day, what matters is the time you spend with your mother. After all, it is a day dedicated to her and all she has done for you.