MOMS COUNTING THEIR BLESSINGS
Putting a positive spin on this different Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is going to be decidedly different for Tayler Mariles this year. Celebrating her first holiday holding the title of “mom” herself, the founder of the Vancouver-based skincare brand Midnight Paloma is looking forward to marking the milestone with her family — in a safe, socially distant kind of way, of course.
“I will be with my husband and seven-month-old baby, most likely just hanging out and being together, which is exactly what I want,” she says of the special day. “And, of course, dropping off some flowers for my amazing mom.”
While she admits the closures and changes due to COVID-19 have affected all areas of her life, as they have for everyone, Mariles says the experience has made her pause and appreciate all the good that exists within her world, rather than focusing on the bad.
“If anything, this crazy time is making me more grateful for what I have. My friends, family and business have been such blessings, and I feel much more present with so much uncertainty,” Mariles says. “Our time is precious and celebrating every moment will be so much more important moving forward.”
That idea of moving forward by focusing on positivity, especially on a celebratory day like Mother’s Day, was echoed by Langley-based lifestyle influencer and author Monika Hibbs.
“It gives us something to look forward to, some normalcy amongst so much uncertainty these days,” she says of the importance of getting creative in order to mark these special celebrations.
“Creating these joyful special moments will hopefully overshadow the memories of COVID and will bring comfort to the ones you love by letting them know you are thinking about them.
“No matter how hard life is right now, to find positive moments and reasons to celebrate is what helps sustain us.”
For Hibbs, she expects to spend the special day being celebrated (and a little bit pampered) by her three children.
“My kids tell me that I should be expecting breakfast in bed,” she says. “I’m excited to see what they decide to make me. They know I love an arrangement of fresh flowers and lots of hugs and kisses from the three of them.”
Beyond breakfast in bed, Hibbs admits she has the whole day pretty much planned out, in order to ensure she gets as much time with her own family — while also making the other moms in her life feel special, too.
“I’m hoping the weather is nice so we can go for a walk around our neighbourhood,” she says. “And then, probably cosy up for a movie with them after dinner. We’ll also go visit my mom and my mother-in-law with a curbside hello, bringing fresh flowers and giving lots of blown kisses and air hugs.”
Vancouver baker Fanny Lam, owner of Oh Sweet Day! Bake Shop, will be busy in her bakery kitchen on Mother’s Day as the small business is still open for takeout orders, including a special Mother’s Day cake in three flavours: lemon, red velvet and chocolate.
“We’ve been offering free delivery since this quarantine started,” Lam says. “For Mother’s Day weekend, we will be doing the same. Hopefully, mothers can celebrate with their kids in isolation.”
She will be taking the two days following Mother’s Day to spend time with her family.
“My family will be spending most of the time in our backyard sunbathing, reading, chatting, eating and drinking,” she says. There may be some baking going on at home, too, she says.
Lam says the most important thing about this Mother’s Day — and, really, any day right now — is to make sure friends and family know that you’re thinking of them.
“This is such a strange time now. No hugs, no kisses, no handshakes, no contact,” she says. “I keep reminding my kids that although affection comes at too high a risk now — and it’s sad — we should never forget love comes from our hearts.
“Just a phone call, email, or text to your loved ones to show that you care. That means everything.”