Library Lines: Remembering the origins of Mother's Day
According to Merriam-Webster, "appreciation" is defined as a feeling or expression of admiration, approval, or gratitude. Thoughts of appreciation and gratitude are plentiful after recently reconnecting with several teachers who educated my now young adult children including an educator that was my first-grade teacher who then taught both of my children!
She has the same warm welcoming smile and cheerful hello, genuinely happy to reconnect and learn the path her former students have chosen. Teachers often are in the profession long enough to witness and educate generations of families. Educators make an impression on us as they help us navigate the important lessons of life. Teachers make a difference in the lives of their students that doesn’t end when students move on to the next grade level, building or upon graduation. They continue to truly be interested in their former students and their path in life.
May is the month to reflect and appreciate teachers for their positive influences not only on children and young adults, but also for the contributions they extend to the entire community. The Cheboygan Library is fortunate to host educators as instructors, teachers that are also authors who present programs at the library, volunteers, and those who take an active role in our Friends of the Library group as well as numerous community groups. Giving back and participating in improving the lives of others around them is what these exceptional people do! We appreciate the impact and contribution educators impress upon our families, our library, and the community. Thank you, educators, for your efforts, time, patience, caring and kindness. You are appreciated!
When we think of appreciation how can we not have thoughts of our mothers. As a nation we celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in the month of May. This year we celebrate mom on Sunday, May 14. The origins of Mother’s Day dates to the 19th century when Anna Reeves Jarvis organized a celebration at her church in West Virginia to recognize her mother. Anna’s goal was to establish a day to honor the sacrifices mothers make for their children. Anna wished Mother’s Day to be added to the national calendar as she felt many national holidays focused on male achievements.
Anna began a campaign of letters to newspapers and politicians requesting the adoption of a special day honoring motherhood. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. When you think of mom on May 14 remember all the positive influences, support, selflessness, and unconditional love moms freely give. Time spent together is priceless, if you are fortunate to have your mom near to you spend the day together making new memories.
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness this month, Cheboygan Library partnered with North Country Community Mental Health (NCCMH) as they present the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan’s Statewide Traveling Art Show titled “Creative Minds Changing Minds” on display at the Cheboygan Library beginning May 15-21. The exhibit features winning pieces selected from consumer art contests across Michigan.
Included in the show are PhotoVoice images created by NCCMH clients. PhotoVoice is a process used to highlight people whose voices and perspectives may often go unheard and overlooked and is comprised of photos and words used to highlight the experience of the person with mental illness. The PhotoVoice exhibit is entitled “I Am Right Here: See Me for Who I Am, Not What I Have.” According to Deb Freed, NCCMH event organizer and PhotoVoice instructor, the exhibit has two goals.
One is to help de-stigmatize mental illness, intellectual/development disabilities, and substance abuse disorders by showcasing the talents of people who use community mental health services. Secondly, the exhibit aims to highlight the recovery potential of the arts.
“Arts help change attitudes while enriching people’s lives. For hundreds of years, great artists, musicians and writers with mental illness have created beautiful masterpieces to share with the world. We are pleased to present this show of Michigan and local artists who have used art to further their recovery and build life skills. The local PhotoVoice artists aim to give hope to those whose recovery journeys will come after theirs and encourage people struggling with their mental health to reach out for help.”
Artists selected “I Am Right Here” as the theme of the show as they want people to know they are much more than their diagnosis. “Mental recovery starts with a good foundation. Make every effort to ensure yours is well built.” — Meiko
— Paula Jewell is program director of the Cheboygan Area Public Library.
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Library Lines: Remembering the origins of Mother's Day
