Although Mothers' Day Observation in the United States was started by Julia Ward Howe in 1872 and was made into a day of festivity through the efforts of Anna Jarvis in 1907, the idea of celebrating Mothers' Day first came into existence, not for the mothers of our species, but for the Greek divinity. During the time of antiquity, Rhea was the mother of gods for the Greeks as Cybele was for the Romans.

In our house, my husband started the Mothers Day celebrations thirty-eight years ago, and to this day, he is the one who is the leader of the festivities. Instances like this make the so-called male domination a pleasure to live with. Both male domination and the maternal instinct may have been declared myths in our time, but Mothers' Day celebrations not only remain but also take on a different commercial twist every year.

For me, just being recognized as someone's mother and being appreciated by my mate for being a mother makes the Mothers' Day a very special celebration, especially if among the presents I get I find a sincere hug. With my children, the presents began with handmade cards, hastily put-together presents, and burnt breakfast toast in bed, and have slowly graduated to finer things, store-bought items, specially prepared greeting cards and always flowers and chocolate from my husband. Still, no matter how fancy my presents got, the recollections of toddlers and little boys trying so hard to please mommy with the encouragement of their father always remain as the highlights of any mother's day memory for me.

There is no uncertainty in celebrating one's love for a mother or a mother's love for her family. Since science has invalidated the maternal instinct, mother's love is probably a learned behavior, but still, a highly respectable and much needed asset for the human societies to continue. Accordingly, motherhood's positive features are not only limited to biological mothers, but also to stepmothers, mothers-in-law, and anyone who has mothered a person.

For that reason, when I bought gifts for my own mother on Mothers' Day, I bought similar gifts to my childless aunt who had mothered me also, and when I called my mother on Mother's Day, I used to call my aunt, too, when both women were still alive. What woman would not be pleased by being appreciated?

Not only mothers, but in general, all women nourish and strengthen the moral fiber of the human family; therefore, it is an honor to acknowledge formally the nurturing side of any woman on Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day to all!