Every year at this time, the weather warms up as the axis of the earth is increasing its tilt relative to the sun. The Northern hemisphere begins to defrost from the winter months at the end of March and May blossoms into the most beautiful month. Our dark cooler mornings start a little earlier, as the sun rises everyday now just after 6 am. The gardens are in bloom, the fruit trees are showing signs of budding and everywhere nature is in a most glorious state. The birds sing and begin nesting and the heavy burden of the summer sun is not as yet felt. How apt is it that the month of May was chosen to honor and celebrate Mothers! The givers of Life, the Beings who are our first solace, inspiration and symbols of the purest love.

This Sunday is Mother’s day in the USA, Europe and many Caribbean countries. In Haiti, Mother’s day is traditionally the last Sunday in May; like in France. In Great Britain, Mother’s day is celebrated  on the last Sunday of March; probably to herald the beginning of the Spring Equinox on March 21; or in true British fashion ” to be contrary to everyone else”. I think it important that we honor our Mothers, Grandmothers, and all of the Mother figures in our lives in some way. Mothers embody the love and caring, sacrifice and pains, joys and great happiness. Without them, it is often hard to fathom our lives. Mothers are our support systems, our cheerleaders, food makers, laundry do-ers, fallback planners, finders of all things lost, and go- fors. Dr.Moms have done all-nighters with sick children, changed soiled sheets and countless diapers. They have wiped up tears and spills, worked miracles when the impossible seemed impossible…and the list goes on and on.

So just for one day in a year of 365, pick up the phone if you are far away; send a poem or card, send flowers or make a meal. You really do not have to have a big budget to make a statement.  Kids are great with Mother’s day and often are the reminders to Dads that something special should be done. For some Dads, the response is ” Mother’s day is everyday “!  But seriously, make an effort and do something  to make a gesture to celebrate your Mom. It will make her feel special and happy and will be good for your soul. Dads, there is an ounce of truth in the old adage ” a happy wife, a happy life”.

I will be the first to admit that I have kept almost all of the drawings, poems, play-dough and clay sculptures, pressed flowers, crepe flowers and other beautiful offerings of love which my children have given me over the last 25 years. I look at them every so often and a huge sensation of warmth and tenderness  overcomes me and fills my heart. One of the sweetest gifts was a little box which my boys Michael and Pascal won for me from a vending machine when they were about 8 and 6 years old. When I opened this 1 1/2″ box, a little ladybug popped out with an ” I Love You”. Such sweet treasures. They had their eye on it and spent about $5 with that “claw machine” manoeuvring it to grab the box prize for me!

I have written several of my recipes on the Guyanese Girl Haitian Soul site which can be the guidelines for a beautiful brunch. The Rosemary & Lemon Roast Chicken, Gratin Mirliton with Shrimp, Roast Pork, Banana Nut bread, Bakes and Salt fish, Mediterranean couscous salad, the Special Oatmeal with bananas and spices, The Baked Egg cups are just a few ideas from which you can choose for the day to celebrate Mom. Brunch, Lunch or Breakfast in bed with a tray and flowers is lovely. In whatever fashion you chose to acknowledge your Mother, I wish  her a Blessed and Happy Mother’s day. To all the awesome Sister-Mothers out there as well; you are in my thoughts on Mother’s Day whenever it is celebrated in your part of the world.

To my mom Jenifer… I love you and wish that we could have been together to celebrate Mother’s day. Thank you for your constant love and support.