It's May! The smell of spring is in the air, the flowers are starting to bloom and we can safely say we made it through another Newfoundland winter. May is also special because it is the month in which we celebrate our mothers.
Mom, mother, maman, mommy, madre, mudder, mum … it really doesn’t matter what language you speak or what you call her — she’s the one that raised you, cares for you, loves you like no one else will, and she will even kick your butt when you need it. Moms are our biggest cheerleaders.
While it may seem like we have always celebrated this wonderful day, Mother’s Day actually only originated from an inspirational quote dedicated to mothers everywhere. In 1876, Ann Jarvis, a social activist, closed her Sunday school sermon by honouring mothers.
“I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mother’s day commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life.”
As it turns out, Jarvis’ daughter, Anna, would take up this mantle on May 10, 1908, three years after her mother's death, when she held a memorial for her — and all mothers. She sent 500 white carnations to Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in her hometown of Grafton, W.Va. and the idea took hold. On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring the second Sunday of May “a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.”
Today, we continue that tradition, especially since we all know, moms spend the majority of their time looking after everyone else — their kids or grandkids, their spouses, their parents or grandparents. And, they spend very little time looking after themselves. So, it only seems appropriate we turn the tables this Mother’s Day and truly pamper our mothers.
“At HealthQuest, we know how much moms do for us, and we want to help recognize that work by offering all moms the gift of comfort. What better way to celebrate the woman that comforts us every day of the year,” says Deanna Skinner, regional manager at HealthQuest.
Comfort may mean different things to different people, Skinner says. “When you hurt, it can make doing everyday things that much harder. Even if you are trying to relax by enjoying a coffee with friends, for example, and you have aches and pains, nothing is enjoyable,” she adds.
Often we associate comfort with unstylish footwear, clunky bracing and matronly compression socks, but times have changed, according to Skinner. Comfort and orthopedic shoes now come in all styles and colours to please even the pickiest moms. Braces are sleek, but yet still supportive, and compression stockings are available in bright colours and funky patterns?
And because moms spend so much time on their feet, it only makes sense to make sure they are comfortable, Skinner adds. If you are unsure of sizing or what your mom would enjoy most, Skinner says they have you covered. HealthQuest offers gift certificates so moms can come in anytime they want and be pampered to ensure maximum comfort.
Drop by one of HealthQuest’s two locations at 300 Kenmount Rd. in St. John’s or 28 Cromer Ave. in Grand Falls-Windsor. You can also visit their website at www.healthquestnl.ca.
