My Turn by Pier Simeri
In honor of Mother’s Day this past weekend, moms were showered with gifts, treated to brunch, or pampered with a day at the spa.
For me, Mother’s Day was an opportunity to reflect on the gift my mother gave me — namely, a cherished childhood — and to compile the following list of some of the remarkable things about her.
It’s important to recognize those wonderful qualities that make our mothers special, not just on Mother’s Day, but every day.
For starters, my mother had a wonderful sense of style. She always dressed up, even if it was just to run to the bank. Like Jackie O, she always looked “put-together.” Sensible heels, classic handbag, red lipstick, gold watch.
She was a chef extraordinaire. No Betty Crocker cake mixes for her! She could cook a delicious curry using freshly ground spices, whip up her famous flan when company showed up unexpectedly, and turn leftovers into mouthwatering fare. Her chocolate cake made me one of the most popular girls in class.
She took my three siblings and me on exciting adventures. My favorite memory is when we took a little ferry boat to one of the Singapore islands. We packed a picnic basket and spent the day trekking through Malay villages untouched by modern conveniences. We lost track of time, nearly missing the last boat at 9 p.m., much to my father’s concern.
She was fearless! My mother had a penchant for climbing fruit trees when she was a child. She climbed into adulthood, tugging at guavas and mangoes, while we watched from below with open jaws.
She was incredibly smart. Fluent in three languages: English, Tagalog and Malay. She also spoke a smattering of others, from Hindi to Hokkien. She made mind-boggling math problems comprehensible. She was a sharp businesswoman and an authority on the orchids and roses that bloomed in our beautiful garden.
She constantly strived to learn new things, taking up new hobbies or classes from cake decorating to sewing. During her antique collecting phase, she scoured flea markets for treasures, turning our garage into her restoration workshop. The intricate Chinese altar above my fireplace today is a testimony to her labor.
She made our house a gathering place. There were Sunday barbecues with friends, holiday feasts that were open to anyone. She never blinked an eye when the boys from high school turned our living room into a disco hall, with music blaring till 1 a.m.
She had a vast social network. My mother knew every shopkeeper by name at the local village — and they all knew her.
Lastly and importantly, she gave us a perfectly memorable childhood. Not every kid can say that; I hope those who can will take the time to make a list of their own about what makes their mom so special.
Pier Simeri is community relations director for Avondale. Her mother, Iolani Andrews, resides in Victoria, British Columbia.