Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

By Lu

Mother's Day...what a beautiful holiday. This is the day where we celebrate that one person who gave us life. I know, we should celebrate it every day. Yet, it is great that there's one special day where we take the time and make sure that moms get special treatment they so deserve. Moms always put you first and sacrifice their comfort and happiness for others, especially for their children. It is only right if one day a year they have no choice but to let their children put them first for a change.

I didn't remember much celebrating Mother's Day back home in Indonesia. Over there, Mother's Day is observed on December 22...way too close to Christmas. It is not as big of a holiday as Mother's Day over here in the US. However, I know my mom deserves the day just like every other moms over here.

My mom, Linda Alam

I'm so lucky that I have three moms I could love. My mother, Linda, who gave me life, is the most beautiful woman in the world and I owe it to her for giving me a chance to live in this world. Not only she's beautiful, but she is so smart and kind. Without her, I wouldn't be the person I am right now. I remember when I was growing up, my mom and I at times clashed. I remember her chasing me with a broom stick ready to give me a whoop ass. I probably deserved it too. Actually, I know I deserved it. However, over the years, we grew to be best friends. Even though I live so far away from her, we talk almost daily over Blackberry Messenger and once a week through Skype. It is always fun when all of us get on the conference call: My mama in Jakarta, Ri in Nepal, Annette in Norway, and me in Chicago. When I was in pain and sobbing whether it was because of a boy who broke my heart or a root canal, I called my mom in between tears that fell on my cheek.

My mom is also the best cook and baker! I know I am totally biased; however, those who have tasted my mom's food can attest! The three of us daughters, really did inherit a great talent from my mom. Every time I am home, I just love cooking and baking with her. I learned so much techniques from her. She really does have tons of knowledge. When I was young though, she couldn't get me to step foot in the kitchen. Only if I listened to her! Little did I know I grew up loving to cook so much. If I knew it early on, I would have gone to Culinary School and be a chef. So, kids..listen to your mom! They do know best!

The last time all of us girls together at home in Jakarta, November 2010

My two moms - Cherryl and Linda

When I left Indonesia to become an exchange student in
high school in the US, I acquired a new family. The Cook's became like my own family and I spent my early adult life with them. After my host parents divorced, my American dad, Dale, married a wonderful woman named Cherryl. She's not my original host mom - but a step host mom if there's such a term! However, she grew to be a wonderful mom to me. I enjoy her company sincerely. We also have a ritual where we go to the spa twice a year - just the girls in the family. I love it!

One of the hardest parts of living so far away is when it comes to the holiday season. I couldn't imagine if I didn't have my American family and friends here. It would have been unbearable if I were to be alone on holidays. In my 18 years here, I made it home once for Christmas. Cherryl always includes me in every family gatherings - birthdays, reunions, parties, and holidays. Spending holidays together knowing that even though I am far from my real family, yet I still have a family that love me nearby makes me feel so so lucky. When my real parents came to visit over here, it is so awesome that they get along great! My mom, Cherryl, and I would go shopping and go to the spa while the dads would golf all day. It is great to have one mom. It is even better to have two moms!

Eve and I

I never planned this one; however, my co-worker, Eve, adopted me as her baby girl. We work together and we spend 9 hours a day Monday through Friday together for the last six years. Momma Eve has seen me through my best days, my happy days, my stressed out days, and days when I just wanted to curl up and cry. When I was in love and happy, she couldn't get any happier for me. She could smile and be giddy as if she was the one in love. When I was sad, she felt my pain. I couldn't thank her enough for always being there for me. She's not just a co-worker and a friend, but she is a surrogate mom to me. I feel protected by her knowing that she has my best interest at heart. She has two fantastic boys. Boys are fun, but they're nothing like a daughter! I am lucky to have many great friends that transcend friendship itself and I'm lucky to have Eve in my life. It is great to have one mom. It is even better to have two moms! Yet, having three moms is best!

I wonder at times if I will ever be lucky enough to be a mom someday. My friend, Helen, told me about some restaurants giving away things such as moms eat for free on Mother's Day. She asked me to go and I told her I couldn't because I am not a mom. She said to me that they wouldn't check. I wondered to myself will I ever be able to dine for free because I am a mom? Who knows! I know my mom is dying to be a grandma, especially since most of her friends all have grandchildren now. I hope Ri and Annette will make her dream come true. They have better chances than me to turn it around in a timely manner since they both are married!

However, having friends who are moms makes it fun for me. I love playing with my friends' kids and many of my friends are the cutest moms. Some of them are new moms and they're having a ball with their babies! Well, at the very least, I get to have fun baking for their baby showers!

So, I thought I would dedicate this post to moms every where! I dedicate this not only to my moms, but also to all the top shelf moms around me. Here is a shout out to you! I hope you enjoy this collection of photographs of mothers and their children and grandchildren.

Ri and Emak (My dad's mom)

My grandma, Angelina, is the sweetest grandma. She is in her eighties but she is spunky as ever! I remember great times at my grandma's when my sisters and I were young. Emak, as I call her, makes the best fried chicken and this Indonesian dessert made from Taro Roots and palm sugar (Sagu Rangi). Every time I come home, she will make me some. Lately she is getting weaker and can't spend too much time in the kitchen, but I love her just the same.

Karen (Sandrine's Mom), Soon (Tina's Mom), Tina, me, and Sandrine

This picture was taken several weeks ago when we did the March of Dimes walk in Chicago to raise money for a charity that supports mothers and babies. What a perfect charity to talk about on Mother's Day as they raise awareness on pregnancy, babies, prematurity, birth defects, etc. Tina and Sandrine both took their moms to the walk. The only mom missing is mine! Both moms have been so good to me. They both spoil me with good food while my mom is far away!

Dawa and Ariana

Dawa is Ri's close friend from her college days. They were both International students in a small town in Wisconsin. Dawa is originally from Malawi. After graduation, Ri went home to Jakarta and Dawa stayed put in Wisconsin, got married to her college sweetheart, and just added a beautiful baby girl to the family. Dawa named her baby girl Ariana Louise! What a great name! :D

Sandrine (Mom), Karen (Grandma), and Brode

My friend, Sandrine, became a new mom late last year and I got myself a new little munchkin to play with. Sandrine always refers to me as Lulu Yee Yee for Brode's benefit. That means auntie Lulu in Chinese. I baked up a storm for her baby shower, and had such a great time in welcoming this cute little boy. He is growing so fast and it has been super fantastic to track his changes from a baby to the handsome boy in tuxedo in mere seven months. This boy is going to break some hearts I know it!

Daniella and her beautiful daughters: Victoria, Audrey, Chiara, and Daphne

If one lady makes me jealous on a continuous basis about being a mom and loving it, it's Daniella. I grew up with two sisters and I just know having four daughters would be so great! Not only that, Daniella also has tons of pictures illustrating all the fun she is having with her girls! I'm sure boys are fun too but I wouldn't know. I always wanted a brother, but I never got one. All I know now I wouldn't trade my two sisters for the world. These girls will find out how lucky they are having each other. I can never get bored looking at Daniella's pictures of her and her girls. They're so beautiful and and just look at them! Don't they look like they're having an absolute blast together? I'd say!

Jill and Sienna

Sienna is the happiest little girl and she is growing so fast. This picture was just taken earlier today. We went for dinner and since it was nice outside, we took a walk by the pond. I still remember when she was just born, and now she's running around and balancing herself on the gutter on the side walk just like a little gymnast. Maybe someday we will be watching Jilly's little girl on television competing in the Olympic!

Sabrina, awaiting her baby in the summer

This is Sabrina's first Mother's Day. Who said Mother's Day only apply after the baby's born? I'm sure there's a lot of mothering to do even when the baby is still in the womb. It's true when they say a woman looks the most beautiful when she's pregnant. I think Sabrina and her husband, C.K, are expecting a baby boy; however, look how pretty she looks I almost thought the baby should be a girl. Either way, the baby boy will be happy when he opens his eyes for the first time and sees that he has a beautiful mommy. Congratulations Sabrina - I can't wait to bake for your baby shower!

Tricia and Ava

I really really think Ava is the most beautiful little girl I've ever seen. She is not just cute. She is not just pretty. She is BEAUTIFUL. She can win any kinds of pageant competition. She is also so sweet. When Tricia writes me in her catch up emails and telling me about Ava and her little brother, Brennan, - I could feel the pure joy of being a mother. There was a time when I thought my friends' kids are the best form of birth control. However, now I totally understand the whole concept of loving. It didn't make me feel left out for not having a child; yet, it gave me ability to appreciate my mom even more. Tricia was my boss at one time and she had a very thriving career. She gave it up to be a stay at home mom and I don't think she has ever regretted her decision. Again, mom sacrifices anything for the sake of her children and how lucky those children are!

Kimberly and Brent

From the identical big smiles you can already tell they're related! Kim is my co-worker and she's a successful career-woman in a big world of men in automotive industry. Yet, she still manages to be a great mom who raised an American Hero. Brent is in the US Army and he was deployed last year in Iraq. Having been with someone in the military, I knew how it felt to have a loved one so far away in the war zone. I couldn't imagine how a mom would feel. I am sure there were a lot of prayers said, a lot of time spent worrying, and a lot of hoping that he would be home safe soon. When he finally came home, all those yearning and praying would be all worth it as all worries were gone and replaced by pride bursting like fireworks on the Fourth of July. Even so, Kim gave credits to her mom as without her mom, they wouldn't be the remarkable human beings they are today. Thank you, Kim, for raising a great man who risks his life for his country, and thank you, Brent, for your services. I also want to extend the thanks to all moms (especially, Kathy VH) out there whose sons and daughters are in the battlefields. May God bless you and your child.

Debbie and Fiona

Debbie, or I call her with her childhood name, Chika, is an old friend from grade school. We grew up together and I found my love for writing being her friend as we used to listen to a radio program that told a story like a diary. Being the impressionable little kids, we then both wrote scripts following that radio program's format. I took it all the way and keep on writing. Even now, I do at times still write in a diary format though it would be a total fiction. Our teachers in school caught me writing during class one time and I wrote about this crazy family drama - dysfunctional family with parents divorcing and kids having problem and wanting to attempt suicide. Of course since it was in a diary format, they thought I was writing about me killing myself. I was like no..no..no...I love myself too much to ever want to do that! I swear it was just pure imagination! We still talk about writing now and she encourages me to take my writing even more seriously. Now, she is a mom of two and the funny thing is she named her babies with two of my favorite names, Ariel and Fiona! Great minds think alike.

Isabella and Helen

Last but not least - it is time for Helen and her little girl, Isabella. I remember when Helen and Michael told me that they were expecting. We were at Maggiano's having dinner and then they told me she was pregnant. I was so happy for them and instantly already thought of what to do about the shower. I remember cooking up a storm for the shower! It was so much fun. I remember having to tie Helen's shoe laces when she was nine months pregnant. I remember it was pouring rain when I went to the hospital to see little Isabella for the first time. It has been so much fun watching her grow from a little baby to a gorgeous happy little girl. We used to dance together when she was really small. I would hold her in my arms and do the tango and cha cha dance. She would giggle like crazy! Her laugh is so infectious and she never fails to give you the sweetest smile. She is such a ham! It makes me happy and proud to be Auntie Lulu. I'm sure it makes my friend Helen more than happy and proud to be her mom.

I think Sunday will be a gorgeous Spring day filled with love. Even though I can't spend Mother's Day with my mom, I hope she will be having a great day over there in Indonesia. I also wish the happiest Mother's Day to every mom in the world. I know each and every one of you work very hard being a mom and to raise children who will be our future. It is not an easy business being a mom! If it is easy, it won't start with a process called "Labor!"

Moms - we love you and Happy Mother's Day!!

Special Mother's Day cheers to the following great moms who have touched my life: Inge Alam, Pamela Gillette, Carol Moonert, Adele Kazin Spiro, Kathy Van Horn, and my late grandma, Sri Wahyuti.