The first modern American celebration of Mother’s Day was in 1908, but it wasn’t until 1914 that President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it a national holiday to honor mothers. Through the years, greeting cards, flowers, gifts, and dinners became the norm to recognize mothers’ patience and unconditional love.
I am very fortunate to have been a mom for over forty years to two, very accomplished daughters, and proudly state I enjoyed most of it. However, there were times I thought I’d not survive. The tween-early teen years were challenging. You know what I’m talking about–those years when Mom didn’t know anything. In fact, my eldest said to me recently, “Every teenager hates their mom; it’s just part of the maturation process.”
“How well I remember, my dear. I rid the house of dictionaries and encyclopedias because you knew it all!”
Perhaps because my professional career was in education, motherhood came to mean much more to me than my kids. I morphed into an advocate for our kids, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, and zip code. Our children are our greatest natural resource. Our children are our future. Our children are our only hope to affect positive change. Our children should not suffer from malnutrition, homelessness, nor poverty. Our children should have equal educational opportunities.And our children don’t need to die from unnecessary diseases because they weren’t vaccinated, nor do they need to die from senseless, pissing contests by megalomaniacs.
I don’t believe any woman has to actually birth a child to be a mother. (Mother Cabrini? Mother Teresa? Mother Goose?) But every woman can make a significant difference in the life of children through coaching, volunteering, mentoring, helping, employing, and leading our young.
Today is May 10, 2026; Mother’s Day. Be a mom to someone who needs you. Thanks, Dr. Suze
Dr. Suze Espouses 