Mother’s Day is just around the corner.
Mother’s Day in Japan was introduced from the United States during the late Meiji and Taisho periods. As in the United States, it is common in Japan to give red carnations on the second Sunday of May.
As Mother’s Day gets closer, carnations appear not only in flower shops but also in supermarkets. Cake shops also begin selling Mother’s Day-themed sweets, adding a cheerful seasonal touch.
This always reminds me of a sweet memory from when my son was in the early years of elementary school. One morning, just before leaving for school, he suddenly remembered his homework: he needed to bring many small red circles cut from felt. We rushed to prepare them together.
A few days later, on Mother’s Day, he proudly gave me a bouquet of carnations made from that same felt. It was so cute. But even cuter was his big smile—he had completely forgotten that I had helped him make the petals that morning. Whenever I see this lovely handmade carnations, I still think of that moment and smile.
I pray every day for the happiness of my son, who has made it a tradition over the past few years to buy a cake for Mother’s Day and enjoy it with me. I am sure my own mother also keeps me in her thoughts each day, and I feel deeply grateful for this precious chain of love that connects us.
It is fascinating that Mother’s Day is celebrated differently around the world, with different origins, dates, and flowers. Still, I hope mothers everywhere have a happy and peaceful Mother’s Day.
Thank you very much for reading today.
Wishing you all the best.
もうすぐ母の日です。
日本では明治時代後半から大正時代にかけてアメリカから伝わったそうです。アメリカに倣って、5月の第2日曜日、赤いカーネーションを贈ることが一般的です。母の日が近くなると、お花屋さんだけでなくスーパーマーケットでもカーネーションが販売され、ケーキ屋さんでは母の日をイメージしたスイーツが並びます。
息子が小学校低学年の頃のことです。「赤いフェルト生地を小さく丸く切ったものをたくさん持ってくる」という宿題を登校直前に思い出し、朝から大慌てで手伝いました。そして数日後の母の日に、そのフェルト生地で作ったカーネーションの花束を誇らしげにプレゼントしてくれました。授業で作ったという花束はとても可愛くて、花びら作りを母に手伝わせたことをすっかり忘れている息子の満面の笑みはその花束よりももっと可愛くて、この愛らしい手作りのカーネーションを見るといつも思い出して笑ってしまいます。
ここ数年、息子は母の日に必ずケーキを買ってきて、一緒に食べてくれます。そんな息子の幸せを私はいつも願っています。私の母もきっといつも私を気にかけてくれていて、そんなかけがえのない愛情の連鎖に感謝しています。
母の日は、起源も日付も贈る花の種類も、国ごとに様々異なることも大変興味深いですが、世界中のすべてのお母さんが幸せな母の日を迎えられますように。
今日も読んでくださって、ありがとうございます。
それでは皆さま、ごきげんよう。
