Celebrating “Mothers of Malverne”- and Moms Everywhere

All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother. I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. -  Abraham  Lincoln

“God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers” – Jewish Proverb

“By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacationless class” – Anne Morrow Lindenbergh

“The mother’s heart is the child’s schoolroom” Henry Ward Beecher

“Youth fade; love droops, the leaves of friendship fail; A mother’s secret hope outlives them all” -Oliver Wendell Holmes

I can go on reading and reciting famous quotes dedicated to our moms but as Malverne’s historian, I’ll instead take you on a journey through the past to show how Mother’s Day and the role of mom has evolved over the years.

There has been praise for our mothers since the beginning of time. May 8 is Mother’s Day. It was not until 1914 though that Mother’s Day was proclaimed a holiday by President Woodrow Wilson to celebrate America’s mothers. This day is set aside to give us a chance to publicly express our love and support for what our mothers have meant to us. This dedication to our mothers should be carried through the other 364 days as well.

I grew up with a caring mother (and father). I am happy to say that as I sit down to write this I have so many memories that it is difficult to pick one or two. I am blessed to still have my mom and we continue to make memories. I will say that I cherish the love and guidance that she has shown for me more than any other accomplishment that has come into my life. 

Through time, the role of mother has changed. Many mothers have gone to work and fathers have stayed home with their children or children have been raised by nannies and day care.  But this is still created out of love and nurturing our children.

Well, in 1978 a group of mothers joined together to create the Mothers of Malverne (MOMs). These were stay at home mothers who were caring for their children but at times feeling isolated and in need of support with the difficulties of raising small kids. The MOMs group is still going strong today, functioning as a support group and social network for mothers facing the challenges of child-rearing.

The group has monthly meetings to discuss upcoming events or just chat and catch up with other members.  They hold “Moms Night Out” for dinner, and other fun activities too. Throughout the year, there are children’s events including Halloween, Breakfast with Santa, an Easter Party and egg hunt to name a few. There are also play groups during the day, after work and weekends. There are baking groups, a book club and a walking group.

I had one member of the group let me know that she had joined and shortly after took sick. She was amazed that the other mothers in the group rallied together to give their full support for her and the family.

So as we go about our busy days, please take time to reflect that not only did mom give birth to us but for the rest of our lives we will be reflecting on what lessons we were taught by our mothers and others who have stepped up to mother us.

For more information on the MOMs please contact mothersofmalverne@yahoo.com.