Thanks, mom, on this Mother’s Day
Today is Mother’s Day, when we celebrate our moms by making them breakfast-in-bed, going out for lunch, buying flowers and candies, and doing other special things that show our affection and appreciation. This is the day when we, the children of our mothers, say “thank you” to the women who brought us into the world, expressing our deepest gratitude for all they have done – and not done — for us.
Mom and me in Napa wine country celebrating my 40th birthday
But, did you know the original Mother’s Day had a different agenda? It was no “Hallmark holiday.”
The concept of Mother’s Day as we know it originated in the United States in the 1860s as an outcry by mothers against the Civil War (and war, in general). At the time, women did not yet have the right to vote. So what could they do?
The original Mothers Day’s was a show of activism of what mothers could do to promote world peace. They wanted their husbands home and their sons to grow up, and an end to the carnage that is war.
Take heed these words from the Mother’s Day Proclamation (1870), written by Julia Ward Howe :
“Disarm, disarm! The sword of murder is not the balance of justice.”
While many cultures and nations have had one form or another of celebrating motherhood, going back to our ancient roots, Mother’s Day became a holiday in 1908 in North America thanks to Anna Jarvis, originator of the holiday. Apparently, she hated the printed greeting card. Having become disillusioned, she campaigned against its commercialization, using her inheritance to do so, causing her to die in poverty (also motherless, ironically).
Thankfully much has changed since then to improve the lives of women — and mothers. Today, we stand on the shoulders of those women who preceded us. Thank God for moms.
Today, I celebrate my mom…
Thank you.
For more than four decades, you been a supporter and my champion. You cleaned my scraped knees whenever I fell off my bike. You consoled me when I was frightened that the monsters living underneath my bed would surely “get me.”
You organized many birthday parties, attended dance recitals and band concerts, and traveled with my school band as a chaperone. You even protected me when I got picked on by a schoolyard bully. And you likely spent many hours worrying about my safety as I explored the world, often solo.
You have celebrated my successes — and have been there for me during my failures.
More than anything, you lovingly gave me the freedom to go out into the world to be who I am today.
Thank you, mom. I love you.
(This is a revised post of an blog written in 2012)
INTERVIEW: The love of a mother can move mountains: Dana Florence (VIDEO)
Before becoming a mother, Dana Florence was a primary school teacher with a passion for helping children reach their full potential. In her heart, she really wanted to start a family of her own. When she gave birth to triplets on Jan 1. 2008, life changed — dramatically.
The triplets were born 15 weeks premature and the fight for their lives began, enduring many tests, procedures and surgeries to keep them alive. Eventually, the children — all three of them — were diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy. Today, they all require equipment, such as wheelchairs and walkers, and constant care to help them with everyday tasks that many people take for granted.
These children — Taylor, Cole and Brody — are the inspiration behind Three To Be, a Toronto-based organization that Dana and her husband, Jared, founded to help children with neurological disorders. Three To Be’s mission is to advocate and raise funds to support and advance the development of innovative research, education and therapies for children with neurological disorders. So far, they have granted more than one million dollars to The Hospital for Sick Children and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Recently, they purchased a robotic device to help children with cerebral palsy learn to walk.
And this is just the beginning.
“If you don’t go through difficult things in your life, you don’t realize what you have to be thankful for.” ~ Dana Florence
At the heart of this story is a determined woman who has taken a difficult situation and made the best of it; moving beyond basic survival to inspiration — to making a difference in the lives of many children who need it the most. It is also the story about how the unconditional love of a mother can be powerful enough of a force to move a mountain.
I invite you to watch my in-depth interview with Dana Florence on my web TV show, Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner. I asked her about the organization’s vision, and how she finds the strength and support to keep going. I also asked her if, reflecting back, she would change anything. Her answers — from the heart — provide insight into a woman who is nothing short of extraordinary.
To go to the interview, click here (VIDEO).
INTERVIEW: Shannon Skinner interviews Rona Maynard, former editor, Chatelaine (VIDEO)
I recently had the privilege of interviewing Rona Maynard, former editor of Chatelaine magazine, Canada’s leading magazine for women, on my talk show Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner.
Rona was at the helm of Chatelaine for 10 years and through innovation and drive, she made the magazine a massive success. During the time that she was running the magazine, I was working in the public relations field and read her regularly for not only professional interests, but also because in some strange way I felt connected to her.
I also secretly desired her job!
After years of pitching Rona and her editorial team to get my clients featured in Chatelaine (this is what PR people do), I was thrilled to meet her in person. After all, if there is one woman in this country who knows Canadian women — how we think, want we want, what we do not want, what makes us tick — it is Rona Maynard.
Once she left the magazine, Rona heard a whispering in her heart to write the story about her relationship with her mother in a book entitled My Mother’s Daughter. I chose to focus on the mother-daughter relationship, and how it can impact our success, in my interview with Rona because this is, in many respects, the most important relationship many of us have. It was a popular topic for her readers while she was at the magazine, and that conversation continues today at Rona’s blog.
Her insights are extraordinary.
Right after the interview, I reflected upon my relationship with my own mother and the bond we have. This pondering took me back to that dreadful day we don’t like to think about: 9/11. When 9/11 happened, one of this first things I did was, in a frantic state, try to call my mother. Neither one of us were anywhere near New York City; I was in Toronto, my mother was in Medicine Hat, Alberta. And yet, I needed to talk to my mom.
As the stories unfolded in the days after, nearly every friend of mine, and acquaintance, told me they tried calling their mothers immediately upon hearing the news of what was unfolding. There must have been a lot of calls to moms that day, perhaps seeking comfort or just the connection. I think this says something about our relationships with our mothers – and that energetic umbilical cord.
Rona’s relationship with her mother strongly influenced who she is today and her career success. Her mother had her own dreams, some that would not come to fruition because she was born ahead of her time – like so many mothers. And that would impact their relationship. But, like everything in life, it all served a purpose and shaped the woman who today has arguably more insights into Canadian women than probably anyone.
Rona is speaking at the Ignite ‘n’ Connect event on May 4th in Toronto, hosted by Positive Fabulous Women. I am looking forward to hearing her speak. I hope to see you there.
VIDEO INTERVIEW: to watch my interview with Rona Maynard, click here.
© Shannon Skinner 2012
