Celebrating Mother's Day

Being Canadian means many things to many people. Many people dream of coming to Canada. Some may be here and wish they were not here because they miss their family. Others wish they could be somewhere else during our long winters and still others are so happy to be here. What about you, which category are you in?

I'm very happy to be living in Calgary, Canada. It's a bit cold here but that's just the way it is here. Canadians speak French and English . . . well some of us do. As for me I speak English and my second language is Italian, not French!!

The month of May, in many countries, we are celebrating an important day called Mother's Day Festa della Mamma Fête des Mères

I was born and bred in Calgary, Canada. I learned a bit of French as a child but that was it. I ended up marrying an Italian from Naples and began to learn a Southern Italian dialect, Neapolitan.

My grandmother Bessie Wilson, who I called Nana came from Sault Ste Marie Ontario (born on St. Joe's Island) headed West to Calgary in 1921. She was my best friend. When she met my Italian boyfriend back in 1975 she suggested I not marry him because he was raised differently. She grew to love him and he became my husband. I poured myself into his culture and boy was he happy and so was I for a long time until depression began its journey in me.

Eventually I thought I'm too Canadian to be Italian, yet I'm too Italian to be Canadian! As I learned to open up and share my feelings with my Nana, she would pour me a cup of tea and share her home made cookies. I'd usually be complaining about my husband - he said or did or didn't say or do something that brought me to tears. Then she would encourage me and remind me about his qualities and I would leave with a smile on my face once again as she wiped away my tears. My Nana passed away in 1985. She was the one who encouraged me with books and suggested I watch TV programs about Jesus. Thanks to her prayers and her continued encouragement, I became a believer and have been on my journey with Jesus since 1978. I've been blessed with three children, two grandchildren and finally understand the freedom that Jesus represents since finishing my second book, 'Are You Ready?'

I am free to love and be loved.

Out there somewhere is a mom, grandma, great grandma who would really be happy to tell you her story. Are we ready to let go of our agenda and spend a day with her? What can we do to bring some joy into her life? May be our mom needs to hear us say "I'm sorry, I forgive you, or I love you."

Out there somewhere in our neighborhood there is a single mom, widowed grandma who could use some encouragement. Shall we ask God who we could encourage today? We will all be blessed when we do. Could be our child/children need(s) an apology.

God will give us the courage to say what needs to be said. Let's just do it and not hold back.

Happy Mother's Day to all you Mothers, may you enjoy your special day and to those who are not Mothers, may you lend a hand to a special woman today.

Thanks be to God for our Mothers, Grandmothers and Friends.

With Love & Encouragement
Dorothy Sessa