Giannini: Lessons of Love on Mother’s Day
Sunday, May 08, 2016
It's Mother's Day weekend and I can't help but reminisce about Mother's Day when I was a child. I'm sure we can all remember past Mother's Days and recall how they differed from today.
Growing up Italian American, we didn't eat out in restaurants much. So our holidays and Mother's Day were spent at home at the kitchen table. There were no reservations for a fancy restaurant or brunch.
The day would start off with us awakening to the smell of meatballs frying on the stove. My mom would get up early and be frying fresh dough to make homemade doughboys. A big pan of gravy, yes gravy is what we called it, was cooking on the stove as well. The smell was heavenly and just thinking of it brings the aroma back to me. We were small then and looked forward to Sunday mornings where we could sleep a little later and not have to get up to go to school.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOur Mother's Day cards were homemade cards that my two sisters and I made. We usually would surprise my mom with chocolates and a fresh bouquet of flowers. My mom would hang our Mother's Day cards on the refrigerator and cherish the chocolates and flowers. Times were simple then. We knew our parents loved us and it was understood without them saying it.
In those days, a roof over our head and a nice warm meal together gave us security and love.
It meant stability in our lives. Mother's Day was a tribute to our Mother but not like it is today. Our mom's never expected a meal out in a fancy restaurant or expensive gifts.
They went without so we could have things. Things such as uniforms or shoes for school,
things such as a favorite puzzle or book became a priority for our mothers. There was no extra money for frivolous extravagances.
Haircuts were given at home by my older sister who later in life became a hairdresser. My mom would paint our finger nails and toe nails. She would also set our hair in rags to get beautiful curls. We didn't go to hair salons or nail salons for pedicures and manicures and neither did my mom. She did her own hair and was very good at it. As a young girl of 15, my mom would do the hair of all the brides in the neighborhood. On the morning of their wedding, she would go to their homes to do their hair. Maybe this is why my older sister Jean became a hairdresser for many years later in life.
Life was simple then. We never had to impress our Mother and she didn't have to impress us or lavish us with expensive gifts. Many lessons of life were taught at my mother's kitchen table.
Lessons of respect, honesty and love for one another. The lesson of family togetherness no matter what comes in life was truly the best gift.
My mom taught me and my two sisters that we were always to remain close and be there for each other. "Family is the backbone of your lives, she said. Never forget that after I am gone ,
I expect you and your sisters to stay close."
And so Mom on this Mother's Day weekend I remember and honor you by recalling your lessons to us in life. And I am happy to report that we as a family have remained close and carried on all your family traditions. By doing this, we believe we keep you in our hearts forever, not just on Mother's Day but all the days of our lives.
Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mother's who sacrificed so many of us could have good lives. Because of all these wonderful women, we grew up to cherish our mothers. And so today,
I salute all our mothers who taught us the true lessons of life.
Happy Mother's Day!
Joanne Giannini served as a RI State Representative from Providence from 1994 to 2010. She has previously written commentaries for the Providence Journal and the Federal Hill Gazette. During her tenure in the General Assembly, she made appearances on CNN, Primetime News, and American Morning regarding legislation she filed in Rhode Island.
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