Written by Debbie Michalski
Although she is never far from my thoughts, as Mother’s Day is approaching, my thoughts turn to my mother, Mona Elizabeth. My mother passed away in 2008, well into her 92nd year of life. The first Mother’s day was difficult; it was the first time in my life that I could not buy a card, bring a quart of black walnut ice cream and plant a pot of geraniums for my mother. That was the ritual that I kept for many years. I also missed being able to call my mom and talk about the happy and sad events of my life. I thought no one cared as much about those things as my mother did.
Then I started to look around at the special women in my life; I realized all through that year, there were many women that stepped up to fill that void left within my life. My sisters and close friends were there to nurture me through the sadness and to help me find peace and comfort in my mother’s passing. That’s what women do: We mother our families, our friends and our co-workers. It might be a kind word, some much needed advice or making and sharing a favorite recipe. It’s the way we take care of each other. You don’t need to give birth to a child to be a mother in someone’s life.
My mother’s “claim to fame recipe” was Mona’s Raspberry Pie. My dad had a raspberry patch and each year my mom and dad would pick the raspberries, make jam and freeze the rest for raspberry pies. Whenever there was a family reunion or some sort of a potluck, my mother made raspberry pie to take and share. Our family loved her pies and looked forward to all of the pies, but raspberry was our favorite.
This year for Mother’s Day, my plan is to send cards to the women that continue to nurture me as my mother did, along with my mother’s recipe for raspberry pie. It really is true that “a recipe is for cooking, and so much more.”
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