Mother’s Day (May 9, or March 21, 2010) is usually celebrated on the second Sunday in May. It is a special day to honor and give thanks to one’s mother in a variety of ways. This is what Epoch Times reporters from Spain to Dubai found when they asked locals: “What is your best memory of celebrating Mother’s Day?”
Andorno Micca, Biella, Italy
Federica Valz, 41, Accountant (with daughter Giulia)
In Italy, Mother’s Day is celebrated on May 9. It is a recurrence felt especially by children. At school, my daughter every year creates something nice for me. For her, it’s just a game and she’s very strict in keeping it secret until the last moment! One year, I got a colored candle, another, a scented bag. But it is not generally considered a very important occasion. And perhaps this is why one year it was a real surprise when my mother and my daughter together gave me flowers for Mother’s Day!
Federica Valz, 41, Accountant (with daughter Giulia)
In Italy, Mother’s Day is celebrated on May 9. It is a recurrence felt especially by children. At school, my daughter every year creates something nice for me. For her, it’s just a game and she’s very strict in keeping it secret until the last moment! One year, I got a colored candle, another, a scented bag. But it is not generally considered a very important occasion. And perhaps this is why one year it was a real surprise when my mother and my daughter together gave me flowers for Mother’s Day!
Canary Islands, Spain
Cristina Hernandez, 58, Housewife
Yes, here in Spain we do celebrate Mother’s Day on the first Sunday of May. My best memories about it are when my only daughter was at school and brought home some drawings or handcrafted works for me as a present. You could see her eyes shine, and I’m sure that if I could have seen them, mine would have been too. Those were really special moments that I won’t ever forget. Time has passed by and this day is not anything special anymore since she’s grown up and both of us don’t like this day because it is now so tainted with commercial purposes.
Cristina Hernandez, 58, Housewife
Yes, here in Spain we do celebrate Mother’s Day on the first Sunday of May. My best memories about it are when my only daughter was at school and brought home some drawings or handcrafted works for me as a present. You could see her eyes shine, and I’m sure that if I could have seen them, mine would have been too. Those were really special moments that I won’t ever forget. Time has passed by and this day is not anything special anymore since she’s grown up and both of us don’t like this day because it is now so tainted with commercial purposes.
USA (living in Dubai)
John Cornett, 31, Sales Consultant
When I was 10 years old, for Mother’s Day I wrote my mother a song; and when she came home from work I sang her the song. She started crying and years later when I was in my early 20s, at one of my birthdays, she pulled out the same paper that I wrote for her. She’d kept it for 15 years or so; it was really special to me because it made an impact on my mother.
John Cornett, 31, Sales Consultant
When I was 10 years old, for Mother’s Day I wrote my mother a song; and when she came home from work I sang her the song. She started crying and years later when I was in my early 20s, at one of my birthdays, she pulled out the same paper that I wrote for her. She’d kept it for 15 years or so; it was really special to me because it made an impact on my mother.
Zlin, Czech Republic
Hana Dostalova, 77, Retired Nurse
I have a great celebration every year because my children always come for Mother’s Day bringing flowers. It’s always like that, so I am happy as I know that they love me. We celebrate Mother’s Day in the Czech Republic ... maybe May 9 because it’s Sunday. Anyway, the major thing is they [the children] remember. [Mother’s Day is the second Sunday in May.]
Hana Dostalova, 77, Retired Nurse
I have a great celebration every year because my children always come for Mother’s Day bringing flowers. It’s always like that, so I am happy as I know that they love me. We celebrate Mother’s Day in the Czech Republic ... maybe May 9 because it’s Sunday. Anyway, the major thing is they [the children] remember. [Mother’s Day is the second Sunday in May.]
Maceió, Brazil
Mirian Araujo da Silva, 48, Cleaning Assistant
Yes, we celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May. In Maceió, there are very special celebrations at the churches, and we give presents to all mothers. In 2009, Mother’s Day was special to me. I received a white vase with red flowers from my son. It is to have the understanding, respect, and love from your own children. Real love to me means that which comes from the bottom of the heart. One day my son said, ‘Mom, you are very special person; you are wonderful and unique. I love you!’
Mirian Araujo da Silva, 48, Cleaning Assistant
Yes, we celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May. In Maceió, there are very special celebrations at the churches, and we give presents to all mothers. In 2009, Mother’s Day was special to me. I received a white vase with red flowers from my son. It is to have the understanding, respect, and love from your own children. Real love to me means that which comes from the bottom of the heart. One day my son said, ‘Mom, you are very special person; you are wonderful and unique. I love you!’
Jordan (living in Dubai)
Issa Kayyal, 42, Business Planning & Development Manager
Yes, actually in Jordan, we celebrate Mother’s Day on March 21. We celebrate at Eid [Muslim religious festival] where all Jordanians celebrate the achievements of their mothers, with memories and expressing gratitude. My best memories for this are usually when we are at home with five sisters and three brothers. We all bring big gifts for Mom and surprise her for this special day.
Issa Kayyal, 42, Business Planning & Development Manager
Yes, actually in Jordan, we celebrate Mother’s Day on March 21. We celebrate at Eid [Muslim religious festival] where all Jordanians celebrate the achievements of their mothers, with memories and expressing gratitude. My best memories for this are usually when we are at home with five sisters and three brothers. We all bring big gifts for Mom and surprise her for this special day.
Chardon, Ohio, USA
Karl Didtz, 34, Police Officer
Probably the first one after my wife was finally a mother, when she finally had a boy, I bought her a nice gift and said it’s from her son, trying to make it special. We always go to dinner, too.
Karl Didtz, 34, Police Officer
Probably the first one after my wife was finally a mother, when she finally had a boy, I bought her a nice gift and said it’s from her son, trying to make it special. We always go to dinner, too.
Gold Coast, Australia
Sacha Jones, 35, Shop Assistant
As a country that we live in, Australia, we do celebrate Mother’s Day, May 9, but our family doesn’t really celebrate Mother’s Day. We might give a card, but birthdays are more important to us. I also think the reason we don’t celebrate Mother’s Day in our family is because it is so commercialized and there’s no specialness in the day, so that’s why we tend to focus more on birthdays because it’s more personal.
Sacha Jones, 35, Shop Assistant
As a country that we live in, Australia, we do celebrate Mother’s Day, May 9, but our family doesn’t really celebrate Mother’s Day. We might give a card, but birthdays are more important to us. I also think the reason we don’t celebrate Mother’s Day in our family is because it is so commercialized and there’s no specialness in the day, so that’s why we tend to focus more on birthdays because it’s more personal.
Christchurch, New Zealand
Susan, 51, Fashion Designer
I loved the weird and wonderful breakfasts my children made me!
Susan, 51, Fashion Designer
I loved the weird and wonderful breakfasts my children made me!
Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “What impact is migration having on family life in your community or country?”
Friends Read Free