The country of my birth does not have Mother’s Day on its calendar. I did not know of this special day until visiting countries that id celebrate it in my teens. Now with children myself I have become the focus for them on this day thanks to their school, the media and of course retailers and restaurants who want to maximize their revenue at this time.
Recently, as they have gotten older, the children’s attitude seems to of changed. This made me think and precipitated me to do a little digging into the roots of this celebration and meditate on this change in my children’s attitudes and responses. In anticipation of Mother’s Day this weekend, here are a few things I’ve read and meditated on.
The history of Mother’s Day dates back to the year 1908. It was created by Anna Jarvis,who after the death of her own mother wanted to honor the sacrifices mothers made for their children.
Now it has became a western tradition which honors motherhood and is celebrated across the globe.
This week at my children’s school I was invited to a Mother’s Day afternoon tea. Tables were set beautifully, flowers, cakes, music and presents carefully wrapped and packed by the kids.
The most delightful part of the afternoon was to see the children welcoming and hosting their moms for the event.
On arrival my kids ran towards me welcomingly, smiles stretched across there faces and took me to the table to be served, as it had been arranged with their teachers. I could tell that they were not doing it out of duty, but pleasure and love.
Their sweetness was melting my heart and there was one word in my mind- reciprocity.
As a parent It is quite rewarding to see the qualities God intended developing in your children…Reciprocity
Any quality in us which brings out good in others is The Creators seed in us and, by cultivating it we will greatly benefit as a society generally. At a very base level we teach our children and encourage ourselves to not just receive but also give with a generous heart. This is not just money or goods but most importantly time and a respect of others that is natural and not forced.
Bible is full of examples of law of reciprocity. One of my favorites is in Luke 6:38
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (NIV)
Thanks for all mothers ( and teachers) who are mindful of developing a giving spirit in children.
And as Mother’s Day is approaching set aside some time just to say thanks.
I’m sure she’d love to hear from you!
My love is all things aesthetic. My passion is God.
Mending souls and not just skin, is the way to celebrate beauty. During the past 20 years I evolved my passions experiencing my artistic visions and self-taught other skills and painting, and more. Inspired by different cultures and stories I to collect unique finds and create inspiring pieces which have stories to tell.
I love interacting with creative and inspiring people.
If that’s you let’s journey together!
As I was walking my children to school one morning I noticed familiar green leaves poking through the dark soil. These simple Cotyledons had an appearance that awakened a feeling of recognition.
Growing up with my grandma in a village of the high mountains of the Caucuses, every season heralded a new bounty. The arrival of this bounty decreed a series of steps that were required to be undertaken to fully utilise the earths goodness and to celebrate that time of the years cycle.
Upon closer inspection the small green leaves breaking through the neglected soil were the leaves of the Common Nettle Plant. (Urtica dioica)
Childhood memories were instantly awakened and my heart urged me to revive the recipes of my grandmother in my own kitchen some 13,000 km and a lifetime away from my original kitchen of tutelage in the mountains.
In that place the pace of life was very different. Suspended high in the mountains 5000 metres above sea level Nettles grew well., funny they seem to grow equally as well next to a train track in the Melbourne suburbs. So from a place where it feels that time has stopped to a place where life is noisy and brisk the same plant has risen and aroused memories long supplanted by the certainty of life in a foreign land
In the mountains you live observing the present and when certain greens break through the soil your soul is awakened and calls you to action.
That same action has called me again and I am reminded of the foods, drinks and medicine that must be shared with friends, family and now you.
These are 3 ways of using nettle I grew up with:
Brewed Nettle Tea ( great antioxidant, anti inflammatory, provides relief for urinary disorders)
Baked Nettle Pastries
Nettle leaves applied topically at the site of pain caused by arthritis or joint pain.
I’ve enjoyed sharing my nettle memories with you, please share yours with me.
God bless,
Hadija.
