Just Musing: Honoring moms, grads, veterans as May gets underway

Today (Sunday) is Mother’s Day − a day set aside to honor, spoil and gift mothers. In these times, it is all about flowers and greeting cards ( if you can find greeting cards).

I wonder if Anna Reeves Jarvis, if she were alive today, would celebrate the day the way it is celebrated in these recent years. Jarvis’ mother passed away in May in the early 1900s. She wanted to create a day that would honor her mother and all moms. She began the movement in West Virginia and holds the bragging rights for the day of celebration. A few years after that initial celebration, President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday of May as Mother’s Day and has remained so until this day.

The occasion also has been good for the floral business. I understand floral orders and deliveries are running neck and neck with Valentine’s Day. My favorite flower is the yellow rose.

However you spend the day, if your mother is still living, be sure to let her know how much you appreciated all she has done and continues to do for you. Don’t forget three little words all mothers love to hear − I love you.

First the proms and then on to graduations

Social media was flooded again last weekend with prom pictures. I love seeing them all dressed up instead of holey jeans and T-shirts. I have a question, though. I noticed most of the girls had a bouquet of flowers instead of a corsage. When did that start, why, and what do they do with the flowers while they are out to dinner and dancing at the prom? Just curious.

Graduations begin soon. What a happy time for the graduate and their parents as they reach this milestone in life. I thought I would only have one graduate to celebrate with and get a gift for, but as of Monday, I have received five open house invitations and hope to attend each of them. So far, we have no conflict of date and time.

Later in the month is Memorial Day − a day originally set aside to honor the men and women who died while serving in the military. Today, it has become a day to honor all who have left this Earth. Memorial Day also kicks off the summer season.

Let me leave you with this quotation for those making transitions via graduation − whether preschool, kindergarten, high school or college − symbolizing the end of one chapter in life and the beginning of a new one.

“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

And to all mothers, this quotation by Mitch Albom:

“When you look into your mother’s eyes, you know that is the purest love you can find on this earth.”

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers.

Until next week, be safe and be kind.

Brenda Donegan is a former Marion Star staffer. She may be reached at brendadonegan55@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Mother's Day, proms and graduations highlight Marion in May