Celebrating Moms
Celebrating Moms
Mutual Aid Agency has been around so long, it actually predates Mother’s Day.
While a staple holiday both in America and across the world, Mother’s Day was created just over 100 years ago, in 1907, by Anna Jarvis. A peace activist, Anna wanted to honor mothers everywhere, celebrating them for all they do in the world. She’s responsible for the inaugural event, which took place as a liturgical service in Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church, and later for Woodrow Wilson’s official recognition of the day.
Today, we commemorate the day with small gifts, flowers, Hallmark cards, or a meal out. But the intent behind Anna’s original day was far simpler: A day to express love and appreciation to mothers, no purchase necessary.
Taking a cue from Anna, we’d like to honor and thank the amazing women—be it moms, moms-in-law, grandmothers, aunts, or surrogate moms—who have done so much for us. We’d like to think our MAA ancestors did the same thing back in 1907, sitting around a farm table and expressing gratitude.
Thank you, Moms, for the practical advice and nuggets of wisdom that still guide us every day.
If you tell someone you are going to do something, always follow through. - Kristy’s mom
Always be yourself. - Kim’s mom
Be grateful. - Mandy and Heather’s moms
Take the kids to church. Some day, you’ll sit in the pew and wish you had those little moments back, and you’ll never regret being there with them. - Sheila’s mom
Be nice to everyone, but you don’t have to be everyone’s friend. - Lauren’s mom
Thank you, Moms, for giving, sacrificing, and inspiring
My mom has been gone from this earth for eight years, and it was a blessing for me to be with her when she departed. There is so much that she did for me that I am thankful for, but I am most thankful that she instilled in me a love of family, of God, and of hard work. – Sheila
My mom, Carla Hoisington, was a dedicated MAA customer service agent from 1999 until she retired in 2017. Many, many, many of our clients LOVED her and still remember her—folks still call and ask for her to this day! As a mom and in her role at MAA, she embodied empathy, compassion, and love, and has a true servant’s heart for others. When our clients needed help, she walked their journey with them, start to finish, and cared for them each step of the way. - Kim
And lastly, thanks, Moms, for influencing us in ways we swore you never would
We asked our staff if there is something they do as an adult that would make their younger self cringe. Below are their answers, with names removed. Can you guess who said what?
Always being on the go and ready to go, regardless of time
My mom is always so tidy and neat. I never thought that I would be this way, but now I find myself constantly making sure not a single thing is out of place in my house and that it is spotless!
My mom would always try to feed me or send something with me when I would show up at her house, and now I find myself trying to do the same with my adult children.
I vacuum. Every. Day.
Make my bed!
I chuckled with my sister about this one! For me, it’s recycling sacks and gift bags–we never throw one away. For my sister, it’s Kleenex falling out of her pocket or purse and leaving them behind wherever she goes. I think both are funny because it shows we really are like our mother!
With love and gratitude to our moms, and to moms everywhere,
- The Staff of MAA