What does it mean to celebrate Mother’s Day in light of the fact the Roe v. Wade is most likely going to get overturned?

Mother’s day became a national holiday in 1914 thanks to the efforts of Anna Jarvis.

Anna Jarvis was intent on making Mother's Day into a National Holiday after the death of her own mother in 1905. She wanted the holiday to honor the sacrifices mothers made for their children.

Jarvis argued a national holiday that focused on women was needed because all others were focused on male achievements.

The mother of the national holiday remained childless herself. She wanted people to celebrate the day with their families and was vehemently opposed to the holiday's commercialization with cards, chocolate, and flowers.

Now, in 2022, we have to ask ourselves what it means to celebrate Mother's Day in light of the fact that Roe v. Wade is poised to be overturned.

If the leaked Supreme court opinion becomes the final decision, which is likely, motherhood will become legally stipulated and much less of a choice.

Can we still celebrate Mother's Day in 2022 or after?

Maybe your first impulse is like mine: let’s call the whole thing off.

Because no one should be forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term. No one should be obligated to care for a child they did not want to bare.

Carrying a wanted, desired child to term is risky and difficult enough – especially if, like me, your pregnancy suddenly becomes high risk.

Maternal mortality rates are on the rise in the US, and are even higher for women of color.

If pregnancy does go well, then comes the next hard part: taking care of the baby with or without the emotional or financial support you need.

Plus, there are the expenses of child care and lack of affordable medical support.

And the mothering doesn’t end when the child becomes an adult, or so my mother tells me.

But if you've already ordered the chocolates and don’t want to call it off, there are a lot of ways you can get active this Mother's Day.

You could give your time by demonstrating. Or you could donate to organizations working to protect women's right to choose.

You could also take some time to consider the different aspects of motherhood you don’t usually associate with the national holiday.

Celebrate people who have had miscarriages or have lost children. Celebrate people who choose not to be mothers, but raise other people instead. Celebrate role models and those who teach.

Celebrate anyone who has taken on the responsibility of raising a child. Celebrate those who have decided not to.

Mothers day 2022 is about honoring those who raise people up instead of tying them down.