In Canada and many Western countries, the second Sunday of May is celebrated as Mother’s Day – a day to express gratitude for a mother’s love and sacrifice, to honour her tireless efforts, and to strengthen family bonds.

During my years of service in the Indian military, I often heard a sceptical view: that days like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day were nothing more than a marketing strategy devised by greeting card companies to boost sales. It was easy, in that environment, to dismiss the occasion as commercial and contrived.

A Child’s Simple Truth

Two decades ago, after settling in Canada, our son came home from school with a handmade card. He handed it to his mother and said, with unaffected sincerity, “I am proud of you for taking care of me.”

That moment stopped me cold. For the first time, I reflected: never in my life had I thanked my father or mother for raising me, for their sacrifices, for bringing me to where I stand today. Why? We saw their struggles and efforts as duty – or we simply pretended not to notice. I had never heard anyone express thanks to their parents, nor seen it done.

A Belated Tribute

Ten years ago, at our mother’s 80^th birthday celebration, I finally found my voice. “Had our mother received proper guidance, opportunities, and higher education in her time,” I said, “she could have become a Collector.“

My younger brother added, “Not just a Collector – she could have become the Prime Minister of India.”

Then our elder brother spoke, with quiet gravity: “With her wisdom, leadership, and skill, she nurtured this family. It is because of her that we, her children, have reached where we are today.” He paused, then added, “More than raising four mischievous sons, her true achievement lies in managing our four wives peacefully and helping raise our children together in unity.”

That day, all four of us sons expressed our love, respect, and gratitude to our mother. It was late – but it was not too late.

I pray that each of you may also receive such an opportunity.

The History Behind the Day

Let us now turn to the origins of Mother’s Day.

In 1868, Ann Jarvis formed a committee to establish Mother’s Friendship Day, aiming to reunite families divided during the American Civil War. The modern observance, however, was championed by her daughter, Anna Jarvis, after Ann Jarvis passed away on May 9, 1905. With the support of Philadelphia merchant John Wanamaker, Anna worked tirelessly to make Mother’s Day a national holiday in the United States – and eventually an international observance.

In 1910, the state government of West Virginia officially recognised Mother’s Day, and other states followed. On May 8, 1914, the U.S. Congress passed a law declaring the second Sunday of May as Mother’s Day.

A Final Thought

The greeting card companies may indeed have found a commercial opportunity. But that does not diminish the truth at the heart of the day: that mothers deserve to be honoured, that gratitude should be spoken, and that no expression of love is ever wasted – no matter how long it takes us to find the words.

नास्ति मातृसमा छाया नास्ति मातृसमा गतिः।
नास्ति मातृसमं त्राणं नास्ति मातृसमा प्रपा।।
There is no shade like a mother, no resort-like a mother,
no security like a mother, no other ever-giving fountain of life.