KUALA LUMPUR: Millions of women will be recognised worldwide today for their unselfish love, untiring dedication and indomitable spirit which have nurtured so many lives.
Mothers Day, which falls on every second Sunday in May, is a day to honour and remember all mothers, past and present.
Although the title "mother" is often bestowed on the female biological parent, motherhood is not always bestowed by nature.
An adoptive, foster or stepmother fulfils the social role of a mother despite the lack of biological ties.
Motherhood is, perhaps, a prime example of nurture versus nature.
It was 101 years ago that an unassuming 43-year-old lady named Anna Marie Jarvis from Philadelphia, United States, personally took up the daunting task of setting aside a special day to honour all mothers.
Growing up, Jarvis had heard her mother, Anne Reese, speaking about setting up a memorial to remember all mothers, living and dead.
Jarvis had hoped that the day would strengthen family ties, increase appreciation for living mothers and remember those who had died.
On Reese's second death anniversary in 1907, Jarvis embarked on a national campaign for Mothers' Day.
She chose the white carnation, her mother's favourite flower, to symbolise the virtues of motherhood, such as purity, everlasting love and charity. Today, red or pink carnations represent mothers.
Jarvis tirelessly wrote and spoke to businessmen, politicians and everyone she could think of about her ambitious plans.
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May as a legal holiday for everyone to celebrate Mothers' Day.
Fresh from the national victory, Jarvis took her campaign internationally.
Sadly, Mothers' Day, along with numerous other celebrations, has fallen victim to crass commercialisation.
Celebrations for mothers date back to ancient times and has religious and social backgrounds.
Our celebration, however, was adopted and modelled on the American principles.
Azean celebrates in hospital 
TO most, 58-year-old actress Azean Irdawaty Yusoef is a symbol of hope and a role model to women, especially those battling breast cancer. Diagnosed with critical stage three breast cancer in June 2007, Kak Yan, as she is affectionately called, is a face of inspiration as she battled with the illness.
After a number of operations, Kak Yan was able to celebrate Mother's Day yesterday with her husband Khairil Anwar Zainal Mukhtar Rashidi (Karl ) and her three chi ldren, Khaeryll Benjamin, 30, Elza Irdalynna, 21, and Inessa Irdayanty, 18.
Not only that , af ter a 12-month break from any acting roles, she has begun working again in Rashid Sibir's Mother's Day telefilm Mama on Astro Ria recently.
Was it a sign that all is well for this strong-willed woman? “Well, I thought I was well enough for Mama and other acting offers,” Kak Yan said when Malay Mail contacted her yesterday.
“On the outside, I may look great. But, even I wasn’t aware that my body is actually not yet strong enough internally. I had fever and was coughing badly until I sounded like a rocker. I don't think I'll be acting again anytime soon.” Still, Kak Yan added that if she is strong enough, she'll start acting again soon. If things work out, she hopes to be acting in a movie, scheduled to start shooting sometime in September.
“I can't reveal anything yet as it is still in the discussion stage. I am actually looking forward to be in that movie, but all depends if I am well enough.” “Actually, I had minor surgery last Wednesday because my wound was infected and I had to be operated on. I'm feeling much better now,” said the actress.
Although she wasn’t feeling well, it did not deter her and her family celebrating Mother's Day.
“They visited me at the hospital. Karl gave me a bouquet of peach-coloured roses and my children bought me an Oxford Thesaurus. They know that I love crossword puzzles and Sudoku.” “Usually, my family would take me for a nice dinner, be it Italian -- my favourite, or to a Thai food restaurant, or even a warung -- depending on their budget! (laugh).
What's important is that we spent time together.” “I consider myself very lucky that my children don't really wait for May 11 to make me feel special. With them, every day seems like Mother's Day.” Azean added that her family has always been supportive and loving. “Right now, they are really pampering me. I can't bathe due to my wound, so they take turns to give me sponge baths and clothe me. They really baby me.” While she was happy, there was a tinge of sadness in her voice as she remembered her mother, Hajjah Che' Embun, who died of heart failure and high-blood pressure at age 73 five years ago.
“I miss her so much. I used to call her rather frequently, just to ask her opinion on things, or simply for the joy of talking to her.
Life is just not the same without a mother by your side,” she said.
Gifts for Mothers Day
One can also personalise the lockets. The smooth, polished surface may be engraved with initials, name and date or a miniature photograph, message or other tribute placed inside it.Tiffany’s locket collection is available at Tiffany stores in Suria KLCC and Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.* Issey Miyake has come up with some simple gift ideas for Mother’s Day.The L’Eau d’Issey Mother’s Day Gift Box is shaped like a shopping bag and contains a 50ml Eau de Toilette and a 100ml Moisturising Body Lotion.The L’Eau d’Issey Mother’s Day Prestige Gift Box contains a 100ml Eau de Toilette and a 100ml Moisturising Body Cream. * Cartier recently unveiled the feminine Perles de Cartier watch from the Cartier Libre Collection at the recent Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva.The Perles de Cartier watch expresses Cartier’s taste for creativity and playfulness. The watch has four circles, and circles within circles. Gleaming mother-of-pearl dials surround either diamonds or a set of pearls. This timepiece inaugurates Cartier’s feminine watches and jewellery in creations of white and black, luminous and offbeat in a luxurious celebration. * Ralph Lauren presents an exciting tribute to mothers with its Mother’s Day Romance Set.Beautifully packaged in a sophisticated silver box adorned with Ralph Lauren silver ribbons, the set, priced at RM340, contains a Ralph Lauren Romance perfume (100ml) and a 100ml deodorant spray.
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