A Mother's Day Reflection

My mother was three years old when the ambulance came to her home and wheeled her mother out on a stretcher never to return.  Luigia died at age 36 leaving her husband, Atilio, daughter, Monica (my mom) and son, Orlando.  It was 1934.  Work was hard to find and so was care for two children. An impossible decision needed to be made if they were to have a future together as a family. My Grandfather had to separate his children for care so he could work. My mother lived with relatives in a very unwelcoming, abusive home for two years. How would he reunite his family if he did not have care for his children?  At that time, he was advised to write a letter of proposal to a woman who was familiar to him through family connections and available - she agreed to the arrangement. They were married in 1936. Mom and her brother returned home to their dad’s wedding and a stepmom at the tender age of 7.

“ “if you are going to err, err on the side of Love for you can never love too much.””

The year mom turned 36 she was fearful that she too would die.  My mother had no understanding of why her mother left her, or why she died. As she grew, she would ask neighbors and relatives what happened to her mother... What was she like? Stories were shared but mom went to her grave not knowing the reason for her mother’s death. Mom’s searching opened her heart to God.  I’m not sure when exactly this happened but I witnessed its power.  She thrived on relationships: creating them, building and growing them, resuscitating them when they were being smothered or healing them when they were broken. Mom was a heart-to-heart caregiver, nurturer and worker bee. She was strong minded and fierce in her advocacy for the most life-giving path no matter what the situation. Mom could also be stubborn and make mistakes. It was tough for mom to forgive. The pain was often quite deep but with God’s help she got there. Often, she shared her healing journey with me.  She became very fond of a phrase she lived, “let go and let God…Trust”. She also advised often, “if you are going to err, err on the side of Love for you can never love too much.” As Mom aged, she always did her best to be present at our gatherings as family.  I couldn’t help but notice her stance of quiet gentle awareness. Her peace and joy came from a deep sense of knowing there was something greater at work among us…it was as if she was holding in her heart a constant vigil of Love drawn from the source of Great Love.

There is a richness in my mom’s story that is full of desire to live in God and allow God to live in her. My mother’s story matters greatly to me.  It informs my heart and soul… I need to pray it, listen to it, learn from it, and allow it to grow in me, transform me, open me to the possibilities of the life I have yet to live. Her life was and is God’s precious gift to me.  My cup overflows.

On this Mother’s Day, I celebrate and give thanks for my mother and all the mothers who help us continue to create the landscape of our lives. I celebrate and give thanks to all the “other-mothers” who come in the form of teachers, spiritual guides, mentors, aunts, sisters, grandmothers, for all mothers and other-mothers who carry unbearable suffering due to war, disease, famine, racism, crime, homophobia… To all mothers and “other-mothers” may God bless and keep us forever.

Little did I know that when I became a mother that I would fall deeper into Love and stay in love my whole life. I end with the words attributed to Pedro Arrupe, sj.

-Linda Mooney, Associate

 Image: Markus Winkler/Unsplash

National Thank a Teacher Day

National Thank a Teacher Day is an annual celebration of teachers and support staff across early years settings, schools and colleges. The first Tuesday in May starts a week of recognition and thanks to our teachers.

This day invites us to consider the many teachers in our lives who were so instrumental in helping to shape the kind of people we are today. It’s an opportunity to take a trip down memory lane highlighting the various grades we attended, and ask ourselves: Who was my favourite teacher in my primary grades? In my high school years? In College or University?

And what constitutes a “favourite” teacher? A listening ear when it seems nobody else has time? Perhaps it is seen in a teacher who patiently goes over a concept again and again in a way that is respectful and not demeaning to the learner. What of the great patience when an unruly student “acts out” in class? Understanding and compassion - a “little bit of honey”, laced with a sense of justice and meted out in just the right proportions, brings “acting out” to a whole new level.

Let’s hear from some grateful wee ones: (Preschool and Kindergarten)

Preschool & Kindergarten

  • Thank you for teaching me my ABCs and making learning so fun!

  • I love story time and singing with you. You’re the best teacher ever!

  • Thank you for helping me tie my shoes and sharing your stickers!

  • You make school so much fun! I love coming to class every day.

  • Thanks for always smiling and making me feel special

from Elementary School pupils:

  • Thank you for making math easy and fun! You are the best!

  • I love how you always make time to help us. You are so kind!

  • You make learning fun with all your cool projects. Thank you!

  • Thank you for believing in me and helping me do my best!

  • I love being in your class! You are the best teacher ever!

From Middle School students

  • Thank you for helping me understand things when I struggle.

  • Your class is my favorite because you make learning exciting!

  • I really appreciate how patient and kind you are to everyone.

  • Thank you for always encouraging me to do my best!

  • You make a big difference in our lives, and I’m so grateful for you!

From High School students:

  • Thank you for inspiring me to love learning and work hard!

  • I really appreciate your support and the way you believe in me.

  • Your lessons go beyond the classroom and prepare us for life.

  • You make even the hardest subjects easier to understand—thank you!

  • Thanks for always challenging us to be our best and never give up!

From College students

  • Thank you for your guidance and for pushing me to think critically.

  • Your passion for teaching makes a huge impact on students like me.

  • I appreciate the extra time you spend helping me succeed.

  • You’ve helped me grow not just as a student, but as a person.

  • Thank you for your mentorship—it means the world to me!

When we can express sincere gratitude, we open our hearts to not taking anything in life for granted.  Depending on your own state in life right now, what would you want to say to your favourite teacher?

-Sister Kathleen Lichti, csj

Images courtesy of Unsplash: Jess Bailey/ Element5 Digital/ Aaron Burden/