Mothers are indeed a special breed. Back in the 1950s and 60s, the societal expectation for women was clear: have a boyfriend, get engaged, marry, have children, and stay at home with the kids. If you didn’t have a boyfriend by 21, you were often considered an old maid. Women were expected to take care of the children, keep the house spotless, and have dinner ready when the man of the house came home. This wasn’t just any dinner—there were no TV dinners. It had to be a proper meal with a “first dish,” as my uncles would call it, which could be either soup or pasta, followed by the main course. By the time I was 26, I had three children all under the age of four. I’m sure many of you, or at least your mothers, can relate to this experience.
In contrast, women today often get married well into their 30s. They build their careers, have children, and many still hold down a job while managing the household, the children’s schedules, and the bills. Men today also play a more active role in the household. They help with housework, taking care of the kids, and even doing the laundry.
However, when a mother is no longer around, the family unit can feel a significant loss. There’s nothing quite like having your mom around to call every day, ask for advice, get a recipe, or just chat about your day.
Yes, mothers are a special breed. For those of you who no longer have your mothers around, they are still with you in spirit. To all the mothers out there, Happy Mother’s Day.