It is not very often that I get to celebrate Mother’s Day on the same day! In Mexico, the official day to honor one’s mother is May 10.

I have fond memories of my mother. She was a beautiful woman, both outside and inside, who kept on going in spite of being an epileptic.  She taught me how to sew, embroider, cook, and knit at a very young age (I must have been 7-8 years old when I made a dress for a doll.I made a pattern and used it to make the dress. I suppose this is where I get the ability to sketch items.).

My older sister and I went to church with Mom every day to the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Brownsville, Texas. We walked down the atrium to the courtyard, passed the narthex and followed the nave all the way to the Altar; there was an ornate balustrade that kept people from going into the area where the priest said mass. Mom would go into a pew and kneel down to pray. Afterwards, she would quietly go to Our Lady of Mount Caramel’s statue and light a candle. When we finished praying, we would either buy some pastries at the bakery or go to a theater that showed Mexican movies. (We were able to see movies on weekends because my dad, who was self-employed, often repaired items for the theater’s ticket handler and never charged him. That was a great treat because we didn’t have to spend money to see a movie.

My mother loved flowers. I recall the occasion when she fell on the front porch of our old house. At the time, I lived in Fort Worth,too far away to help immediately. Fortunately, my sister took her to the hospital where Mom stayed overnight for observation.Since I couldn’t visit her, I immediately sent her a bouquet of flowers and called her. She kept telling me over the phone, “My goodness! That bouquet of flowers is huge! And it is so beautiful!” When she was released, my mother told my sister, “Don’t forget the flowers!”

So, it is no big surprise that on Mother’s Day, and every day, I pray to Mom. I ask her for help and strength because she was a strong woman. To live in poverty and have an incurable illness required a lot of stamina.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! Enjoy the day with your mom, Dad, and Victor, your oldest child.