Published May 2009 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
Byrd's-Eye View By U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd REMEMBERING MOM Sunday, May 10th is Mother's Day. The second Sunday in May is the day of each year on which our country pauses to honor, mothers everywhere. That wonderful woman made sure that you were fed, clothed, and protected. A mother's unselfish sacrifice certainly deserves to be acknowledged with a display of love and thanks. So on this Mother's Day, take mom out to lunch, to dinner, or to a park. Better yet, make dinner for her. Even if you don't cook very well, she will appreciate the effort -- that's the way moms are. Celebrate with her. Shower your mom with special attention. Give her your love as she gave it to you despite troubles or your bad behavior. Through good times and lean times, mother was always there. You are not that busy. Make a phone call if you are far away. Mom was never too busy or too far away to show her love for you. The people of our state can take special pride in knowing that the founder of Mother's Day, Anna Jarvis, was a West Virginian! An- na's mother, Anna Maria Jarvis had formed Mother's Day Work Clubs to promote sanitary conditions for children. Throughout her life, Anna Maria expressed the idea that one day should be set aside on which everyone could honor mothers. She stated: "I hope someone, sometime, establishes a Memorial Mother's Day, for mothers -living and dead." When she died, May 9, 1905, her daughter, Anna Jarvis, vowed to seek the fulfillment of her mother's wish. "By the grace of God, you shall have that day," she remarked at her mother's grave. Afterwards, she began an intensive and successful campaign for that cause. The first Mother's Day celebration was held in Grafton, West Virginia on May 10, 1908. A few years later, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Congressional Resolution that officially established Mother's Day. So on this Mother's Day pick up a phone and call your mother. Cook some food. Sing her a song. Let the celebration begin and enjoy the love. You can bet your mother will. May 6, 2009