Who is Mother's Day For Anyway?

Seriously, this is a question I want people to answer, to understand how everyone views Mother's Day. I spent my Mother's Day lounging about asking my children to do things for me. When I felt tired, I took a nap. When it was time for dinner, my daughter cooked for us. I did make my own breakfast and lunch - by the way. I have always thought of Mother's Day as a mother's day off. Her day off from her daily, mundane, albeit necessary, tasks. Her day off from children fighting. Basically - her day to feel like she is special and to be pampered. I suppose we all have our own definition of pampering. When I am pampered I like to be left alone. In a house with five children this is not easy to accomplish but not impossible. I realize it is a day to celebrate motherhood but on that day I'd rather be left alone to read a good book and eat yummy food because these are treats for me. I am sure I am somewhat influenced by the fact that my birthday is sometimes on Mother's Day and, if not, very close to it.

I felt a bit guilty about this desire to be left alone when I heard how others view Mother's Day, namely children. Now, my children demand (literally demand) my attention every day of the year. So, when my own offspring said to me, "Mom I just went to spend Mother's Day with my mother." I did not feel guilty at all as I slipped into bed to read after lunch. Then I read a journal entry from one of my students. The prompt was to write about a time a holiday did not go the way you hoped/planned. This was what he put,

On Mother's Day my day was so crazy. I had to go 2 church services. I left one service early because I had to go do a play. I felt so bad for my mom. I figured since she was taking me all these places I said Happy Mother's Day anytime I could. Then when we finally got home she went to sleep. It was so awful I didn't get to spend anytime with my mom on Mother's Day.

I see the day he described as a great Mother's Day. The mom was able to go to church, her son went to church, her son was in a play and she got a nap. The point of view of the child was an eye opener. Granted, this is brief, he only had five minutes to brainstorm and write, but I could just hear his regret embedded in his writing. He wanted to do more for his mom than he did.

So, what is Mother's Day to you? Are you a mom? If so, how do you like to be pampered? If not, what do you like to do for your mom?