Do We Really Need "Mother's Day"?

My feelings about Mother's Day are similar to how I feel about Valentine's Day.  It's a stupid made up holiday that only makes people feel worst about the situation they're in.  The only real difference for me is sometimes, men need a bit of a nudge.  Valentine's Day sort of pushes a male to be a little more thoughtful or romantic than they usually are.  For that, I'm thankful and I enjoy every moment of it.

But Mother's Day?   I grew up in a household where I loved and respected my mother.  Sure, there were times where I felt like I hated her (but I didn't) and times when I was furious at her, yet I never screamed the words, "I hate you" or anything like that.  She was my mother and above all else, I respected her and would never have dreamed of treating her like that.  The only thing I really do differently is send my mom a card for Mother's Day.  Her "gift" is that we do something together...visit a botanical garden or get pedicures, the activity isn't really important.  Just as the physical "gift" isn't that important to her.

Mother's Day for so many is just a reminder of what isn't.  So many go through Mother's Day missing their mother who is no longer with them, or they feel empty because this is yet another day where it's rubbed in their face that they don't have a child.  

I was shopping on Sunday amidst two groups of people...men, aimlessly wandering and playing on their phones and several groups, complaining about what to buy their mothers for Mother's Day.  At that very moment, I decided that the only thing I would ever truly "want" on Mother's Day is for my daughter to never feel like that.  I don't want her to feel some sense of obligation to buy me something.  I hope that she grows up wanting to spend time with me, not just on Mother's Day but every day.