So, we are all done with the brouhaha of Mother's Day. Got pampered by our kids for a change. Called our moms to wish. Enjoyed the day planned by our little ones, under their Dad's supervision. Had our share of heated arguments as to why we (Asians) should or should not celebrate this day. But in the heart of hearts, who doesn't like a little pampering. Let us not deny that part.
Ah, it's a relief for a husband at least....like it wasn't enough he just managed a grand Valentine celebration for his wife, now he has a double duty to please two women at once, Mom and Wife. First, he has to make sure he doesn't sound embarrassed when calling his mom to wish. Not his fault, he hasn't really heard of Mother's day during his childhood. Next he has to help the kids make a great plan for their mother, lest his efforts of all other important days vanish from her mind!
Ah, it's a relief for a husband at least....like it wasn't enough he just managed a grand Valentine celebration for his wife, now he has a double duty to please two women at once, Mom and Wife. First, he has to make sure he doesn't sound embarrassed when calling his mom to wish. Not his fault, he hasn't really heard of Mother's day during his childhood. Next he has to help the kids make a great plan for their mother, lest his efforts of all other important days vanish from her mind!
Ever wonder what is the significance of this day that has become an inescapable part of our lives? Here is a brief look at the history of Mother's Day. The festival actually has its roots in Pre-Christianity. The Ancient Greeks and Romans are known to have celebrated a spring festival dedicated to maternal goddesses. It then made its way into early Christianity. The day was said to have originally celebrated as a festival on the fourth Sunday of Lent in honour of Virgin Mary. Later extended to all the mothers and was called the Mothering Sunday in England. But this custom had almost died out by 19th century. It was the Americans who revived it in the early 20th century. The day as it is celebrated now owes its existence to the genius of American madmen in the 50s and 60s who commercialized it as a reason for another sale. Though the origins are religious in nature, the revival had nothing to do with religion!
Coming from a culture where mother is equalled to an image of God, "Matru Devo Bhava", this idea of compressing the virtues of motherhood into one day may seem demeaning to a lot of us. However, separating a day from our busy lives to the expression of gratitude for the very same virtues cannot be objectionable. What bothers us is the utter commercialism and the rhetorical nature of the festivitity. Then again, this is the hard hitting reality of a capitalistic world in which every event from birth to death is an opportunity to sell.
Coming from a culture where mother is equalled to an image of God, "Matru Devo Bhava", this idea of compressing the virtues of motherhood into one day may seem demeaning to a lot of us. However, separating a day from our busy lives to the expression of gratitude for the very same virtues cannot be objectionable. What bothers us is the utter commercialism and the rhetorical nature of the festivitity. Then again, this is the hard hitting reality of a capitalistic world in which every event from birth to death is an opportunity to sell.
So long from the enterprising world then, till the Father's Day! Though not commercially as successful because a man isn't pleased with a silly hand cream wrapped in rolls of colourful tissue. Nor is a woman stupid enough to buy that 'even bigger sized TV' just because they bundle it up with more freebies!
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