AAA South Jersey May/June 2012 : Page 9

GIVING MOM A BIG “THANK YOU” ON MOTHER’S DAY By Sharon Harris-Zlotnic Of all the people that individuals will ever meet, their mothers probably have had the most profound impact on their lives. Good mothers typically set the stage for their children’s behavior, establishing standards for them to live productive, happy lives. They reach beyond their own needs to further their children’s futures. Since the dawn of time, society has revered good mothers. Literature, music and movies have usually depicted them as loving and self-sacrificing. Although moms should always receive respect, Mother’s Day in America officially honors them on the second Sunday in May. The first Mother’s Day celebration took place almost 100 years ago. For decades after the Civil War, designating one special day for moms had repeatedly failed. The initial push from Virginia pacifist Ann Jarvis occurred in 1868 when her women’s group introduced the “Mother’s Friendship Day.” Their mission was to reunite families divided by the Civil War. Jarvis continued her work to publicly recognize all mothers, but died in Philadelphia in May 1905, before the concept caught on. Jarvis’s daughter, Anna, pursued her mother’s efforts, helped by famous Philadelphia merchant John Wanamaker. He helped the younger Jarvis formally campaign for a national Mother’s Day holiday in the U.S. Jarvis later promoted the idea internationally. Because they were her mother’s favorite flower, Anna Jarvis delivered 500 carnations to the first Mother’s Day celebration in 1908. Many religious services then continued the tradition of distributing carnations, with red carnations representing a living mother and white carnations symbolizing a deceased mother. West Virginia was the first state to declare a state holiday in 1910; the remaining states quickly followed. The U.S. Congress passed a law on May 8, 1914, designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. Continued on page 40 WE’RE THE REASON THEY CALL IT A “SEA OF POSSIBILITIES.” Freedom of the Seas® July -August 2012 Departing from Port Canaveral, Florida Prices starting from: THE ONE VACATION WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE 7-NIGHT EASTERN/ WESTERN CARIBBEAN Oasis & Allure of the Seas® 7-NIGHT EASTERN/ WESTERN CARIBBEAN July -August 2012 Departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida Prices starting from: $749 †* $1,049 †* Explorer of the Seas® 7-NIGHT BERMUDA September -October 2012 Departing from Cape Liberty Cruise Port, NJ Prices starting from: Enchantment of the Seas® 6-NIGHT BERMUDA Departing from Baltimore, Maryland Prices starting from: September -October 2012 $599 †* $629 †* AAA SOUTH JERSEY 1-888-577-9AAA † ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL® RESERVES THE RIGHT TO IMPOSE A FUEL SUPPLEMENT ON ALL GUESTS IF THE PRICE OF WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE FUEL EXCEEDS $65.00 PER BARREL. THE FUEL SUPPLEMENT FOR 1ST AND 2ND GUESTS WOULD BE NO MORE THAN $10 PER GUEST PER DAY, TO A MAXIMUM OF $140 PER CRUISE; AND FOR ADDITIONAL GUESTS WOULD BE NO MORE THAN $5 PER PERSON PER DAY, TO A MAXIMUM OF $70 PER CRUISE. * Prices are per person, cruise only, based on double occupancy and in U.S. dollars. All itineraries and prices are subject to change without notice. Certain restrictions apply. +2!.*)!*0ŏ0&#1c;4!/ŏ&#1c;* ŏ"!!/ŏ&#1c;.!ŏ&#1c; %0%+*&#1c;(ċŏįĂĀāĂŏ+5&#1c;(ŏ&#1c;.%&#1e;&#1e;!&#1c;*ŏ.1%/!/ŏ&#0c;0 ŏ$%,/ŏ.!#%/0.5čŏ$!ŏ&#1c;$&#1c;)&#1c;/ċŏāĂĀĂĈĉĈąŏđŏĂĥĂąĥĂĀāĂ RESERVE YOUR ROYAL CARIBBEAN VACATION WITH US TODAY! """&#0f;DPNt4+'JSTUt &#1a;t May/June

It’s Mother’s Day

Sharon Harris-Zlotnic

GIVING MOM A BIG “THANK YOU” ON MOTHER’S DAY Of all the people that individuals will ever meet, their mothers probably have had the most profound impact on their lives. Good mothers typically set the stage for their children’s behavior, establishing standards for them to live productive, happy lives. They reach beyond their own needs to further their children’s futures. Since the dawn of time, society has revered good mothers. Literature, music and movies have usually depicted them as loving and self-sacrificing. Although moms should always receive respect, Mother’s Day in America officially honors them on the second Sunday in May. The first Mother’s Day celebration took place almost 100 years ago. For decades after the Civil War, designating one special day for moms had repeatedly failed. The initial push from Virginia pacifist Ann Jarvis occurred in 1868 when her women’s group introduced the “Mother’s Friendship Day.” Their mission was to reunite families divided by the Civil War. Jarvis continued her work to publicly recognize all mothers, but died in Philadelphia in May 1905, before the concept caught on. Jarvis’s daughter, Anna, pursued her mother’s efforts, helped by famous Philadelphia merchant John Wanamaker. He helped the younger Jarvis formally campaign for a national Mother’s Day holiday in the U.S. Jarvis later promoted the idea internationally. Because they were her mother’s favorite flower, Anna Jarvis delivered 500 carnations to the first Mother’s Day celebration in 1908. Many religious services then continued the tradition of distributing carnations, with red carnations representing a living mother and white carnations symbolizing a deceased mother. West Virginia was the first state to declare a state holiday in 1910; the remaining states quickly followed. The U.S. Congress passed a law on May 8, 1914, designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. Declare a state holiday in 1910; the remaining states quickly followed. The U. S. Congress passed a law on May 8, 1914, designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation the next day, stipulating the first national Mother’s Day was a day for Americans to fly their flags to honor mothers who had lost sons in war. Two decades later, President Franklin D. Roosevelt approved a Mother’s Day postal stamp in 1934. Following the American holiday, most worldwide Mother’s Day celebrations observe similar traditions and rituals. This May 13, millions of mothers across the U.S. will celebrate a multi-generational Mother’s Day with family members ranging from babies to great-grandmothers. Vineland native Ruth Gittone, 100, was a youngster during the first Mother’s Day festivities of the early 20th century. As a child, and then a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Gittone has enjoyed Mother’s Day for almost a century. She says, “I always feel especially blessed because I could have children when others were not so fortunate.” As a little girl during America’s involvement in World War I, Gittone remembers her father bringing home sheets of wallpaper and glue. She and her sisters spent hour designing baskets from the wallpaper sheets, filling them with flowers from the yard. On Mother’s Day, the sisters presented baskets to their mother, grandmothers and aunts, plus the neighborhood women. Brooke Stromfeld, 31, of South Jersey also loves Mother’s Day. She is eagerly anticipating her second child’s birth this August, the same month as her son Harlan’s second birthday. Stromfeld feels blessed to still have her mother Nina, mother-in-law Rita and two grandmothers, Sylvia and Hilda, close by. “Our entire family enjoys Mother’s Day brunch together every year. I learn so much about their faith, values and beliefs, and will happily pass these legacies on to my own children,” says Stromfeld. Remember, mothers should be honored all the time. But, this year, every mom should sit back, be pampered and enjoy her time as a true queen for the day. 10 Great Gift Ideas for Mothers Day Here are a few great gift ideas for that special person in your life on Mother’s Day. 10. Weekend Getaway A weekend retreat could be great for the mom who needs a weekend to unwind. 9. Digital Camera For the new mom, this makes a great gift. Children grow up so fast, catching those fleeting moments are important. With scrapbooking becoming so popular, digital cameras also make a great gift for the scrapbook lover. 8. Charitable Donation For the mom who never stops giving, she would be honored to know that a donation was given to her favorite charity in her name. This is truly a gift that keeps on giving. 7. Buy a Tree or Star Have that special mom immortalized for years to come. Have a star named after her or buy a tree in her name. 6. Night Out New mothers would surely appreciate a night out of the house with some adult conversation and atmosphere. It’s a simple request, yet such a grand gesture for those moms who just want an evening as an adult. This works well with the morning and afternoon spent with the children. That is what Mother’s Day is about in the first place. 5. Spa Day Most mothers could use a spa day. Whether her children are at home or have long since moved out, a spa day is great choice. Spa Days range from a whole package of all the goodies like mud baths and lunch or just a half-hour massage. 4. Jewelry A great idea would be to give her a pendant with a picture of her child or children in it or a bracelet, ring or necklace with the birthstone/s of children or grandchildren. 3. Gift Baskets You can find gift baskets that contain any and everything. There are baskets that are specifically designed for Mother’s Day, but other choices include gourmet and fruit baskets, spa baskets and candle baskets. Many places also make custom baskets. 2. flowers and palnts This is the most common of Mother’s Day gifts. It’s the obvious choice for that bouquet lover or for a very picky person. 1. The Star Treatment Being a good mother is the hardest job in the world. Offering that special mom the star treatment for a day is a great gift. Start with allowing her to sleep in. As if that weren’t gift enough, breakfast in bed and cleaning the house is just what the mom ordered. Lunch and dinner preparation should be included along with bathing, feeding and dressing the children. Basically don’t allow her to left a finger. Supply a good book or time for her to do what she wants. What mother wouldn’t want a day to recuperate?

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