Senior Voice -

Wikipedia reveals that the modern Mother’s Day holiday was first celebrated in 1907. Anna Jarvis campaigned to make Mother’s Day a recognized holiday beginning in 1905, when her mother Ann Reeves Jarvis passed. Anna’s mother had been a peace activist and had cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War and had been urging for a “Mother’s Day for Peace”, asking that husbands and sons would no longer be killed in wars. Anna Jarvis had wanted to honor this and set aside a day to honor all mothers because she believed a mother is “the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world”. Although successful in founding the holiday, she became resentful of the commercialization of the holiday and eventually organized boycotts and protests of Mother’s Day.

How do you honor your mom on Mother’s Day?

For those of us that have lost their mom, Mother’s Day can be painful. Honoring the other mother figures in your life can help – maybe phone them if you don’t live near each other. Telling grandchildren about the mothers that have passed, maybe telling a few funny stories, writing a tribute, doing something in memory of the person we lost are ways of honoring them.

Remembering those handmade gifts we may have made for our moms when we were young offers inspiration for gifts of today. Here are a few ideas:

A playlist of favorite tunes. Maybe a smart speaker, like Alexa, that can be programmed so all mom has to say is “play my music”.

Host a family event to watch her favorite movie, show or musical. Mood setting candles, dim lights, and lots of popcorn! Or maybe a game or puzzle night.

Enjoy a fancy meal at home, perhaps catered from a favorite restaurant, invite family and friends.

Maybe share a hairstylist appointment or have a hairstylist come by your mom’s house.

Pulling together a themed memory collage, a photo album of favorite photos or maybe framing a special photo in a fancy frame.

Go to a social activity together, perhaps at the local senior center.

Bake a favorite dessert together. The smell of a childhood favorite dessert may spark some happy memories and conversation.

Help your mom fulfill a dream. Maybe a trip to a place she has always wanted to visit or an activity she has always wanted to do.

We wish everyone a meaningful and memorable Mother’s Day, and a happy spring.

Submitted by Maureen Haggblom and the Anchorage Aging and Disability Resource Center Team.

Alaska’s Aging and Disability Resource centers connect seniors, people with disabilities, and caregivers with long-term services and supports. For assistance and answers, call your regional ADRC toll-free at 1-855-565-2017. Or visit the Alaska Div. of Senior and Disabilities Services ADRC website at https://dhss.alaska.gov/dsds/pages/adrc.