Mothers make memories
Tastes Like Home
By Cynthia Nelson
Stabroek News
May 12, 2007
Hi Everyone, The month of May brings Mothers' Day and Mothers' Day brings meals, and memories.
I believe that Mothers' Day is everyday. What perhaps makes the day we choose to mark as her day different or special, is that we try to relieve our mums of all house duties for that day, especially the cooking.
Ask anyone what they're doing for Mothers' Day and they'll tell you that apart from buying mum a present, (often to be used in the kitchen) they're taking her out to lunch with the family. That's the centre-piece of the day, the meal.
But why is having a meal on Mothers' Day so special? What does it really mean or say? Why can't an extravagant gift be enough? Because a meal is a symbol of love, it signifies family and togetherness and we often identify one person that embodies this - a mother.
In her book, The Surprising Power of Family Meals, Mariam Weinstein, says, "A family meal is important because it gives children reliable access to their parents. It provides anchoring for everyone's day. It emphasizes the importance of the family, nonverbally." I think when we gather for family meals, such as on Mothers' Day it reminds us that we are a part of something special - a family.
Mothers are remarkable creatures of resourcefulness, especially in the kitchen. They can stretch, adjust "and make things do." Growing up, I'd watch my mother add potatoes to a stew to 'stretch the meat' or add vegetables to scrambled eggs to make us feel as if we're having a lot - or maybe, that was her smart way of getting us to eat our vegetables, hmmmm….. She had tricks too, which I eventually learned, like filling my glass with ice then pouring my drink. Such ingenuity is not just born out of the need to provide but also to nurture and love.
Mothers spend endless hours shopping, chopping, mixing, baking… all with one aim - to nourish their loved ones, body and soul.
My mother always made everything from scratch. In those days, not many things came in cans, were pre-cut, already shelled or marinated. Rotisserie chickens were not being sold in supermarkets; there was no sandwich-deli section, in-store cafeterias or any of the conveniences the modern day cook can fall back on. She worked and then headed home to cook.
At meal time, we catch up on each other's lives, we argue, we make up, we advise, we console, we give thanks, we share, we toast one another, we remember why we like or don't like these gatherings, memories are recalled. It's the memories that we cherish, the memories that live on.
I remember…
- When it was my 7th birthday and I was allowed to sit at the head of the table
- When my sister said that she's changing her religion, and my mum almost choked (being a staunch Catholic and all)
- When my mum made my favourite meal (which at the time was fried rice and baked chicken) because I'd come first in class
- When we all cried at the table because it was the first Christmas since our parents' divorce and my brother was promoted to sit at the head of the table
- When my siblings and I toasted our mom on the great job she had done as a single parent
- I remember when…
Meal time is bonding time; it is the glue that keeps the family together. And so every Mother's Day that families gather for that special meal, at home or in a restaurant, what they are doing is toasting, celebrating, congratulating, cuddling, and loving the woman who has helped to make their journey through life, memorable.
Happy Mothers' Day Mommy!
Cynthia
tasteslikehome@gmail.com
www.tastesofguyana.blogspot.com