Mother’s Day 2021

On this first ever Mother’s Day without my mom I want to share the tribute I read at her celebration of life. She was my first and best teacher.

My mom dreamed of becoming a teacher, but she chose another career path, that of Homemaker, a role she took very seriously and poured her heart and soul into her home and family.

She maximized the garden’s yield of fruits and vegetables, making applesauce, pickled beets and cucumbers, jams, stewed rhubarb, and cooked homegrown corn, potatoes, peas, carrots, and yellow beans.

She made beautiful clothes for herself and her children and knitted sweaters, hats, mittens, scarves, and slippers.

She entertained for family, friends, and neighbours.

But a big part of the role of a Homemaker and Mother is also being her children’s first teacher, from our first foods to our first steps. Mom was there as we learned and grew and experienced each new thing. She was the one we came to when we didn’t know a new word. She taught us how to eat, use the toilet, wash our hands, get dressed, and share toys. She taught us the values and beliefs that mattered most to her. 

So, she may not have become a professional teacher, but she taught me some of the most important life lessons through her life and example:

My Mom wasn’t a world traveler. She didn’t own a lot of expensive clothes and jewelry. She didn’t have to have those things or travel the world to appreciate the people she already had around her.

She taught me to appreciate what I have.

Mom hated to waste anything. I remember her making pies and with the leftover pastry dough she’d sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon to bake little cinnamon rolls.

She taught me to make the best and make the most of what I have.

Mom probably baked and decorated close to 100 birthday cakes in her lifetime. She hosted family dinners, and she attended every family event she could until it became too difficult for her to get to those celebrations. And when she couldn’t do those things anymore, she still remembered and celebrated every family birthday and anniversary by looking at her calendar, choosing cards and putting them in the mail.

She taught me to always do my best to show the people I love how much I care for them.

Thank you, Mom, for everything you taught me and everything you did to show me how much you loved me.