From: Will Ford To: undisclosed-recipients:; Bcc: <Ma Subject: Happy Mother's Day! Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 13:59:32 +0000 "An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest." - Spanish proverb Over 83 countries celebrate Mother's Day. Some tribes of people, like the Assam in Africa, don't call themselves families. They call themselves "maharis", or "motherhoods." Chinese family names are often formed (begin) with a sign that means "mother". It's a nice way of honoring their moms long past. The ancient Greeks celebrated Mother's Day in spring, like we do. They used to honor Rhea, "mother of the gods" with honey-cakes and fine drinks and flowers at dawn...like the beginnings of the Mother's Day tradition of breakfast in bed. The Greek word "meter" and the Sanskrit word "mantra" mean both mother and measurement. Japan's Imperial family trace their descent from Omikami Amaterasu, the Mother of the World. Buddha honored mothers when he said, "As a mother, even at the risk of her own life, loves and protects her child, so let a man cultivate love without measure toward the whole world." During the 1600's, England celebrated a day called "Mothering Sunday." Servants would go home to see their families, bringing cakes and sweets to their moms. This custom was called "going a-mothering". Each mother would receive a simnel-cake (Latin for "fine flour) and mother's would give a blessing to their children. Americans started setting aside a day to honor Mother's day during the Civil war. West Virginia and Pennsylvania were the first two states to do so. Mother's day is the third most celebrated Holiday behind Christmas and Thanksgiving. The white Carnation symbolizes Mother's Day. According to Mom's what is the number one most desired gift on Mother's Day? Time alone... EFTA00390617