Mom, M?e, ??: A celebration of Mothers

No matter how you say it, Mom, Mommy, Mama, Madre, M?e, Uma, or even Me-maw, everyone on this planet has something in common. A mother birthed us all. As we grow, the person who takes that mantle may change. Mother epitomizes the person who cares for us, wipes our tears, encourages us, loves us, and, at times, scolds us. There is likely no tougher role in life than that of a mother, nor one more rewarding.

For myself, mom always brings to mind lime sherbet. Why lime sherbet? When I was about four, we had a giant aloe cactus in the backyard. I was told to avoid it, but I've always tested instructions. Playing pirate with a long stick, I fought the large succulent, jabbing and jockeying. Then I slipped, fell, and poked myself in the eye. Crying, my mother scooped me up and brought me into the living room, where I howled as she placed me on her lap, cradling my head and attempting to soothe me. My eye was okay, but I wouldn't stop crying until she brought me some lime sherbet from the freezer. I felt safe and loved, savoring the tangy frozen treat as I cuddled in her arms. Perhaps it's why I love limes, especially in key lime pie and margaritas, to this day.

If we're lucky, most of us have a calming memory we go back to when we feel frightened, unsure, or afraid. Mine is mom and lime sherbet.

This issue concerns events that benefit or honor mothers, motherhood, and support mothers of all types. I want to thank my best friend Sarah for allowing me to use her as the cover mom for this issue. She is celebrating her very first Mother's Day this year in Australia with her husband and 10-month-old twin sons, my godsons pictured above. Happy Mother's Day, Sarah, and to all mothers!

There are multiple Mother's Days each year, each dependent upon location. Only one Father's Day is celebrated internationally on the third Sunday of June.

We'll start in England with Mothering Sunday.

Mothering Sunday

Date: March 27, 2022

Location: British Commonwealth

Mothering Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Lent. Although it's often called Mother's Day in the commonwealth, it has no connection with the American holiday of that name.

Mothering Sunday was previously known as Refreshment Sunday due to the fasting rules for Lent, which were relaxed for this single day. Traditionally, it was a day when children, mainly daughters who worked as domestic servants, were given a day off to visit their mother and family.

It is traditional for children to give presents, flowers, and homemade cards to their mothers on this day. I assure you, my British friends, that are mums, take this day very seriously!

Mother's Day, Middle East

Date: March 21, 2022

Location: Middle East, North Africa

In the Middle East, North Africa (MENA), and most Muslim-majority countries, Mother's Day is celebrated on the first day of spring each year. The original declaration of this day occurred in Egypt through the suggestion of journalist Mustafa Amin in 1956. Over the next several decades, many countries within MENA chose to adopt this date.

As elsewhere in the world, MENA Mother's Day is when mothers are celebrated with gifts, day outings, and other family activities.

Mother's Day

Date: May 8, 2022

Locations: North America, Central & South America, Africa, Asia, Europe

The US Congress created Mother’s Day on May 8, 1914, and it always falls on the 2nd Sunday in May. Over 60% of nations worldwide recognize this day as Mother’s Day.??The remaining 40% have different days to celebrate mothers, usually tied to religious or cultural customs.?

Mother's Day is a celebration of the extraordinary importance of mothers in our lives. It is the day we give thanks, show appreciation, and spend time with our moms.

Portugal celebrates Mother's Day on the first Sunday in May.

Mata Tirtha Aunshi

Dates: April 30, 2022

Location: Nepal, Parts of India

Sometimes referred to as Nepali Mother’s Day, Mata Tirtha Aunshi?is an annual festival in Nepal, and parts of India, celebrating the love, support, and sacrifices mothers make. It is marked to honor mothers living and those who have passed. Like most Hindu observances, the date moves yearly, occurring on Baisakh Krishna Aunsi in the Nepali calendar.?

Salute to 35+ Moms Week

Dates: May 8-14, 2022

Location: United States

Champion: Motherhood Later

In developed nations, women are waiting longer to have children. This has its advantages. Older mothers have more life experience, are generally wealthier, and are more mature. Of course, it has its drawbacks.??After thirty-five, it can be difficult to conceive; energy is not as plentiful, and losing the baby's weight is much harder. Salute to 35+ Moms Week is about supporting moms with more life experience than baby experience and helping them be their best moms.?

Black Mamas Bailout Week, National Bail Out

Dates: May 8-14, 2022

Location: United States

Champion: National Bail Out Collective

Created in 2017, Black Mothers Bailout, now known as the National Bail Out, is a nationwide campaign to bail out as many mothers as possible awaiting trial and in jail simply because they cannot afford bail. They are freed so they can spend Mother's Day with their children.

The impact of incarcerated women on families and communities is extreme. Jobs and incomes are lost, homes are lost, and families are divided. These women haven't been convicted of anything, only arrested. Under United States law, each is presumed innocent. Yet, they sit in jail because they do not have the financial resources to pay bail. It can take months to go to trial; many women risk losing their children simply because they cannot afford bail.?

This event seeks to raise awareness of the National Bail Fund and encourages donations to help free these women until they have the opportunity of a fair trial.

Birth Mother's Day

Date: May 7, 2022

Location: United States

Champion: Elevati, LLC

Mary Jean Wolch-Marsh first conceived of the idea of Birth Mother’s Day due to her own adoption experience. She knew she was a mother but didn't feel recognized as such, either by those around her or by her daughter's adoptive parents. Remembering the feelings she'd experienced at her daughter's birth - feelings of triumph and euphoria - she used these to help in her own healing.

Birth Mother's Day brings acknowledgment and recognition to every birth mother who ever loved a child given for adoption.?

For birth mothers, this observance can be a time to affirm joys and acknowledge the sorrow, grief, and pain that are a part of many experiences. It can also be a time to break the silence and release years of anguish, worry, shame, or guilt.

Infertility Awareness Shabbat

Date: March 31 - April 3, 2022

Location: Worldwide

Champion: Yesh Tikva

Mother's Day can be really hard on couples that have been trying to have children but also, on women who wanted children but no longer can because of their age. I wanted to highlight at least one event that focuses on that struggle and pain for not-yet parents and those who hope to be. The Infertility Shabbat each year is the event I chose.?

In the Jewish faith, Passover is a holiday with a strong focus on children. The Torah asks the faithful to "Tell your children of the great miracles of the Exodus."?(Exodus 13:8)

The rituals of Seder night are created to assist in this telling so that the children will ask.?

And those without children?

The Infertility Awareness Shabbat is Yesh Tikva's program before Passover each year, which is designed to raise awareness and sensitivity regarding infertility. Infertility affects one in eight men and women in the Jewish community. To raise awareness, on Shabbat morning, synagogues partner with Yesh Tikva to share a Dvar Torah, or message of hope and compassion for all couples looking to have children.

International Godparent's Day

Date: June 5, 2022, Internationally; July 10, 2022, England

Location: Worldwide

Champion: Originally part of the Liturgical Calendar

Godparents began as a tradition in the Catholic Church, but today signify the people a couple or parent believes should have a special bond with their children, like an honorary aunt or uncle.?

In religious families, the role of a godparent is to help the children understand their faith and support them throughout their lives. In secular families and more common today, the godparent is a trusted friend or relative who serves as a mentor and role model, and the person(s) second only to grandparents with spoiling rights, showering favor and attention on their godchildren throughout their lives.?

National Godparent's Day is situated between Mother's Day and Father's Day in the annual calendar, and it's a day to celebrate the village that raises a child. Annually on the first Sunday of June in most nations. The Church of England typically celebrates this day on the second Sunday of July.?

National Grandparent's Day

Date: September 11, 2022

Location: United States

Champion: US Government

National Grandparents Day honors the devotion and support provided by grandparents.?Often grandparents become the parents if their children cannot care for their own children. They play an essential role in childhood development and provide a foundation of security and wisdom to the past. Annually on the Sunday following Labor Day in the United States.

This event was first observed in 1978 and established by the US Government.

Bella's Pet Parent Day

Date: April 24, 2022

Location: United States

Champion: Pet Parent, LLC

Bella's Pet Parent Day is an annual holiday founded by Stacey Starks to celebrate and honor Pet Parents and all they do for their fur (feathered or scaled) babies.?Every year the number of American households with pets continues to grow, and most people consider pets family members, not just pets.?

This is a day for pet owners to celebrate their relationship with their beloved pets. Anyone who's ever cared for a pet knows this relationship's uniqueness. Over time our pets become true members of our families, and for many of us, they become surrogates for children.?

Hey, even Santa is a pet parent. That's him with his lizards, Bonny and Clyde!

National Adoption Day

Date: November 19, 2022

Location: United States

Champion: Dave Thomas Foundation

National Adoption Day is a collective effort to raise awareness of the more than 115,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families.?Siblings are the hardest to place and often end up being split up.

A coalition of national partners, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, The Alliance for Children’s Rights, and the Children’s Action Network, all sponsor National Adoption Day.

This annual, one-day event has made the dreams of thousands of children come true by working with policymakers, practitioners, and advocates to finalize adoptions and create and celebrate adoptive families.

Communities across the county observe on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

Since its inception in Los Angeles, California, in 2000, over 75,000 children have found families as part of National Adoption Day and its events.?

Also see World Adoption Day: November 9, 2022;

National Adoption Week (United Kingdom), October 17 - 22, 2022 (est)

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That wraps up another issue, and I'll guarantee I'll find typos as soon as I hit 'publish.' The next issue will be out on May 23 and cover events and themes in June. Please share this newsletter with colleagues. LEEP will go live in 2023. Until the next issue, tchau, and Happy Mother's Day!

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