Memories of My Mother: Grace and Kindness

My mother and I in Piazzale degli Eroi, Rome

Today is mother's day, another celebration so exploited by this consumerist culture. Yet for me, transplanted from the other side of the Atlantic, this day brings so many sour-sweet memories.

I remember my mother for her great teachings of grace, kindness and compassion. In this day I have memories of my childhood in a place in times long gone: Roma of the 1960s. The world, so different now, is often associated it with the narratives of Italian movies from that time, in the city which was beautifully portrayed by Fellini and Antonioni. Going through photos of my mother, makes me so nostalgic, sad but peaceful.

Au revoir, mamma.

Thoughts | Celebrating By Not Celebration

"Family" holidays have always been difficult for me, at least since when I moved to the US, as an immigrant without community and unwelcomed by my husband's family. But in the past year holidays have been particularly challenging, when my still legal spouse left me with our daughter after over two decades. I don't miss him considering the almost constant emotional, verbal and mental abuse I was subjected too. Neither I miss his elitist, privileged and uncompassionate family. But his departure brought to the surface two decades of pain, anger and neglect.

Mother's day unfortunately does not escape from this pain and while my thoughts are for my ill mother, Gabriella, and still dealing with my husband's mental cruelty and effort to separate me from my daughter Zoe even in this day.

I would like to share a few thoughts inspired by my effort to live through this difficult day, which I am sure I am not the only to experience in emotional pain —although all the cheerful materialistic celebrations. 

There is no need for flowers or chocolate: a peace of mind and kindness are the most valuable gifts. 

Take time for a quiet prayer or meditation, a simple dance movement, or listening to your favorite music. Or a walking meditation.

Escape the pressure of this day by reminding yourself of your beauty as a woman, daughter, mother.

Celebrate yourself.