The Woman's Word on Mother's Day

The second Sunday of last May marked "Mother's Day" throughout the world, and this day stood apart, different from all the other days of the year: in it there is, of the sanctity of motherhood, the fragrance of pure incense, and of her majesty, a halo of light.

This day stood, alone among the days, with the stance of one distinguished and proud. And why should it not be distinguished and proud?... Is it not a symbol of the fruit's acknowledgment of the bounties of the mother tree?! Is it not a symbol of the child's acknowledgment of his mother's kindness to him?

And is not "Mother's Day" a moment of reflection upon the extent of the great sacrifices which the mother lays at her son's feet, humbly and selflessly, from the beginning of his formation in her womb until he becomes a young man?

Is there any love purer than a mother's love for her children? And is there any giving that pours forth and stops at no limit, like a mother's giving, at every stage of her life?!

Why is it, then, that we pass by this devout occasion feebly and indifferently, and neglect to perform a sacred duty toward the people dearest to our hearts — toward our mothers?!

Let us call ourselves to account today, with a measure of detachment:

What did we do for our mothers on their day, of what people do for their mothers in the civilized worlds?

Did we set them aside from the daily housework for the whole of that day, and do it ourselves in their place?

Did we single them out with a charming gift, as a token of the love we do not always express well?

Did we carry to them bouquets of carnations and roses?

Did we sing our songs for them, and dance around their candles, cheering, rejoicing at the return of their day?!

And finally, did we implore God, on our mothers' day, to protect for us these righteous angels — our guardians on earth — and to bestow upon them the blessing of good health and long life?...

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And our little children — did they grasp the beauty of this day and distinguish the radiance of its face from all the other faces of the year?!

Did we draw their attention, discreetly, to the value of "Mother's Day" and to what it would be well for them to do, and what they ought to do of their own accord, to flood their mothers' hearts, once each year, with a warm love whose way is giving, and not taking alone?!

The time has come for us, as a nation cutting its way toward a free life, to give these sweet occasions their due of attention. And is there any measure of civilization and social progress finer or more exact than our standing before our mothers in appreciation, love, and devotion?!