Feliz Dia de las Madres
Did you get Mom something nice for Dia de las Madres? Flowers are always a good idea. Photo by Ed Kociela
By Ed Kociela
Mother’s Day is probably the most celebrated non-religious holiday around the globe. A lot of dinero is spent here on cards, flowers, dinners, gifts, you name it, as Mexico celebrates Dia de las Madres, Mother’s Day, which is always on May 10.
Although things are changing a bit, Mexican culture usually views the father as the ruler of the family, the mother as its heart. Now, more often than not, my wife assumes both places in our household, but that’s only because she has more common sense and wisdom.
Dia de las Madres is a big deal.
They love their fathers here, don’t get me wrong, but moms? They are venerated.
One of the things I’ve noticed since moving here is the importance of family. We’ve gone to many fiestas in the plaza and seen entire families gathered for the festivities. If one of the children participates in the celebration, the whole bunch shows up to lend support. Truthfully? I don’t think babysitters make a lot of money here. Kids are a part of everything.
Dia de las Madres is a Yankee import. It began here in 1922 when newspaperman Rafael Alducín wrote an article advocating the celebration of Mother’s Day in all of Mexico.
Moms had already been given an elevated status in Mexican culture, this simply ensured their place with a holiday dedicated specifically to them.
Because Mother’s Day is a fixed date it most frequently lands on a weekday. That doesn’t dampen the celebration, however. Schools will often offer skits or plays and invite the local moms to attend. Many employers will buy breakfast or lunch for moms who have to work that day. In the early 1940s, shopkeepers who were members of the Party of the Mexican Revolution opened their doors to women from the lower economic strata, who were allowed to come into their stores on Mother’s Day and take home a gift for free. In the early 1940s, moms were allowed to go to the pawn shops and reclaim their prized sewing machines at no cost.
Traditionally, sons and daughters return to the family home on the night before Mother’s Day. The next morning, children will stand outside the home and serenade their moms with the song “Las Mañanitas,” which includes the words:
“Awaken, my dear, awaken
and see that the day has dawned
now the little birds are singing
and the moon has set…”
Expatriate moms, like my wife?
Expatriate moms like my wife, Cara, get to celebrate Mother's Day twice. Photo by Ed Kociela
Well, they get to celebrate Mother’s Day twice—once on May 10, then again the second Sunday in May, the traditional celebration in the United States.
And, why not?
I know how much work it takes to be a mom, I see how much love they give to their families, I see how they are our heart, soul, moral compass.
You know? Somehow even two days isn’t enough to celebrate all that moms do for us.
Happy Mother’s Day to Cara, Mom, and the rest of you fabulous women. We’d be lost without you.
Ed Kociela is a writer for Los Cabos Magazine. You can reach him by email at edkociela.mx@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/EdKociela.