| Greeting Card Emotions |
12 May 2003
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Sentimental Gushing Wrecks Mom's Day
This past Sunday was Mothers' Day in the US. This non-holiday fabricated by greeting card companies typifies the crass vulgarity of commerce when mixed with the finer human feelings. The message is "buy something for Mom, or be an ungrateful child." Pro-mother is the house policy at the Kensington Review, but for that reason, Mothers' Day needs re-working.
The love of a mother for her child is of mythic proportions; Madonna and child is the cornerstone of much of western art. Even Hitler's mother loved him. And of course, it is a thoroughly one-way street. No child ever appreciates and reciprocates the mother's devotion. In those rare instances where the mother does not care for the child, she is adjudged by the species as unworthy of her station.
While the kindergarten class glues macaroni to cardboard so it can be spray-painted gold, more grown up boys and girls try to track down that "perfect" gift. Or more likely, hurry off to FTD or 1-800-FLOWERS in hopes that having forgotten what day it was will not disappoint Mom.
Mom, of course, probably has a few things she'd like, and if she receives them, all the better. The real point of this day, though, it like Christmas -- useless unless it is kept in the heart all year long.
The reader is encouraged to show the appropriate affection the second Sunday in May by whatever means if comfortable.
Far better, though, just to tell her some Wednesday in October, that she was the first and best friend one every had. Hallmark makes enough money as it is.