Thanks Mom - May Newsletter

I come from a very large family - I am the 9th of 10 children. Every Mother’s Day, I can’t help but reflect on all the ways my siblings and I have benefited from the love and lessons that my mother bestowed upon us. She taught me how to care for myself and others, tools that I have to rely on now that my family is in social isolation. 

My mother ran a tight ship. Cooking, cleaning, and caring for her brood of 10 was her full-time job. To manage her family, my mother had many special techniques, including her infamous stare. With just her signature look, she could convey: "be good...or else". She required us to say please, thank you and demonstrate respect...and implemented old-school disciplinary measures to keep us all in line.

Her high standards and devotion to our health, success and well-being resulted in a challenging, but happy upbringing. She kept an open-minded household, and my siblings and I all feel blessed to have grown up in a multicultural environment where racial tolerance, acceptance and respect for other cultures was the norm.

Wherever you are, thanks Mom! I still try to meet your standards.

In this abruptly changing landscape we find ourselves in, it is important to pay special consideration to seniors, particularly mothers and grandmothers. For many seniors, visits with children and grandchildren are at the centre of their social lives, and unfortunately these gatherings have come to an abrupt (albeit temporary) stop. This year for Mother’s Day, seniors will not have brunches, teas or parties to look forward to. Make it a priority to call and spoil these maternal figures in whichever way is available to you. 

Our mothers have instilled us with the tools necessary to survive and thrive in these unusual and challenging times; they are deserving of our special attention on Mother’s Day and every day

Unusual times call for new ways to comfort and acknowledge loved ones. If you are struggling to think of meaningful ways to extend gratitude on Mother’s Day, try these ideas:

1. Make a Scrapbook
   Do you have scores of photographs stuffed in disorganized boxes? Now is a wonderful time to organize and display them in a scrapbook or photo album and give it to your mother. Putting it together will give you a chance to walk down memory lane and celebrate times when you could come together with family and friends. Your mother will appreciate this gift, and enjoy flipping through the pages of the scrap book as much as you enjoyed making it.
2. Cook Something Special
   Is there a dish or dessert that your mother used to make that reminds you of her? Challenge yourself to recreate it in your own home and document the process. Even if you’re not able to share the dish in person, preparing her recipe will connect you to her and let her know you are working hard to keep her presence alive in your family’s home.
3. Order a Custom Gift
   We would love to help you create a perfect gift box for Mother's Day at Green & Green. Based on her tastes and preferences, we can custom design a beautiful gift full of products she will love. Chocolate is traditional, but we can help select a variety of sweet and savoury items that will fill her day with delight. We can even add a bottle of Prosecco, if she is so inclined! Give us a call to place your order today.
4. Provide an Activity Kit
   Is there a particular hobby your mother has expressed interest in trying? Perhaps it’s backyard croquet, or embroidery, or even just a tricky recipe she’s been meaning to try? A thoughtful gift would be to assemble a kit for her so she can jump into the task without having to track down all the elements. It might be fun to attempt the hobby together, so you can share in the experience of trying something new.
5. Handwrite a Card
   Regardless of the gift, it will mean a lot to your mother at this moment in time to receive a handwritten card from you. It’s something she can display that will help her feel connected to her family. Handwritten cards have more personality than than typed ones, and they help to personalize a gift, so make sure you take the time to compose a note by hand.

Though it is a lot of work, the experience of raising my son Aaron has provided me with humility, love and fun, which I am beyond grateful for. Happy May to everyone who has experienced the hardships and immense joys of nurturing another’s growth, in traditional or non-traditional forms. I salute the Mothers, Aunts, Grandmothers, Pet Moms, Plant Moms who bring forth life! Thank you and Happy Mother’s Day.

“All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”
― Abraham Lincoln

Where we work and how we connect has shifted. How are you reaching and rewarding your teams?
Many of our clients have set up employee care programs with Snack Heros. Delight and express your gratitude to your team and help them feel connected to your company.

Sometimes all we need is a little perk me up to keep us going. Acknowledge your team members with a delicious and delightful snack box. Let SNACK HEROS do a fantastic job for you. Guaranteed to bring a smile!

Contact us and let us know how we can help you.

Communication has taken on a different meaning in this difficult time. Personally, I have found navigating this change challenging. But it's more important now than ever to stay connected with your friends and family. Read about some choices I’ve made to enhance my daily communications.

Happy May and Stay Safe.

All my very best,