Mum’s the word: To cherish the bond and make it count

Islooites express their love and affection in their own ways

ISLAMABAD: Showered her with presents or an appointment at the spa? Baked dessert or took her out for a drive? A compliment, a token or a hug to unplug and let her know that no matter how busy life gets, she will always take priority?

So what did Islooites do as Mother’s Day rolled around the weekend?

Kulsoom, a college sophomore, prepared fresh pancakes with strawberry shake for breakfast. Sarah, her batch mate, topped off the day’s celebration with a crème cheesecake. Their friend Maha dug up her piggybank to buy her mom a Blackberry because, “she’s a talkaholic.”

Think showering with gifts and elaborate surprises. Tania, who works at a five-star hotel, treated her mother to hi-tea where the mother-daughter duo enjoyed cupcakes and scones among other sweet delights. Later, she presented her mother with a small LCD to mount in her room, so that she can catch up on her favourite shows.

Ali, an A level student, said, “I didn’t even know it was Mother’s Day today. But then, I’d rather ace my exams and make mommy happy than get her a cake or something.”

Others went on splurging to literally no ends. “Sent her an e-card and signed a blank cheque for her to go shopping,” said Hassan, who works for an NGO. As if rethinking his burst of generosity, he joked, “Oh and also asked her to go easy on the cheque to which she replied: that’s my prerogative.”

When asked about what she got, Nimmy, a mother, said laughingly, “I’m not fond of Mother’s Day and need a break from my mother who lives with me. However, she does get fanciful treatment from my siblings in Singapore and Vegas.”

Dinner and quality time together gives all mothers a high. “Every day is Mother’s Day. But I plan on taking Mama out for dinner, that’s my job. I owe everything to her prayers,” said Rezz Aly, who runs his own PR firm.

Farhan, who works for a local telecom, bought his mother some clothes and cut a cake to show his affection.

In the midst of it all, the day presented a good opportunity to florists, gift shops, restaurants and cafes to max out on their sales.

“Our hi-tea was free for the mothers, who went home with complimentary goodies. The marketing strategy worked well,” said Aleena, a marketing assistant at a five-star restaurant.

The tradition of Mother’s Day dates back to ancient Greeks, who celebrated their annual spring festival in honour of Rhea, the mother of many gods and goddesses in Greek mythology.  Ancient Romans, too, celebrated a spring festival “Hilaria” to honour Cybele, a mother goddess, some 250 years before Christ.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2012.