This Mother’s Day, I’m working with Clever Girls in support of Macy’s Heart of Haiti to shine a light on the “trade, not aid” program, which provides sustainable income to Haitian artisans struggling to rebuild their lives and support their families after the 2010 earthquake.
With Mother’s Day approaching, it seems that time of year where you can honor those closest to us. While a Mama’s job is never done, there does come a time when it seems easier than others. Not the nights where no-one in the house sleeps or when you’re in the middle of Target with three melt-down ensued children…those are not the easiest of moments. Nor is it easy to see your children graduate from high school and college and send them off into the big, bad world on their own…that is not easy. Nor is it easy when you see them struggle with the very same moments you had as a Mama…the potty training, the meltdowns and the sleepless nights…but then, and only then can you smile to yourself and think that you’ve raised beautiful, smart children and you know that they are doing the same with their own children.
Growing up, Mama was lucky enough to have not one but eight Mama figures in Mama’s life. While only one actually gave birth to Mama, it takes more than just giving birth to a child to make them a Mama. You must nurture, guide and love unconditionally. My Mama is the oldest of eight children, five of them being girls — Mama’s aunts — with each one bringing something important to Mama’s life growing up and now giving the same love and guidance to Mama’s own children. We struggled a bit with money when Mama was growing up so for a few years, so while Mama is an only child, Mama found herself living with as many as eight people at one time.
Homebase as we liked to call it, was Grandma’s house. Everyone in the family, all the brothers and sisters, have at one point in their adult life moved back while working through life’s little hiccups — divorce, unemployment, going to school or just at a turning point in life. We had one of those turning points when Mama was seven. Mama and her Mama shared the back room of the house, while two of Mama’s aunts occupied the other rooms, Grandma in one and the garage room was taken by an uncle. During this time, Mama not only received guidance and discipline from Mama’s own Mama but every other female in the house. While at times this was overwhelming, Mama is sure that it has shaped who Mama is today because just as each person in our life brings something different to the table – so does each person’s guidance. Especially Mama’s Grandma’s guidance.
She has raised eight children of her own and has helped raise through guidance, ten grandchildren and now, three great grandchildren. She is one of the strongest, most level-headed ladies Mama knows and to this day, Mama’s world would not be the same without her in it. While Mama doesn’t get the chance to visit with her as much as one would like or even the chance to chat by phone (she does read e-mail!), she is always in Mama’s heart and on Mama’s mind. Mama often thinks, “What would Grandma do in this situation?”
When the kids are sick, she is the first person Mama calls. Grandma’s always know what to do, right?!
This Mother’s Day, take the time to honor someone important to you. Someone that makes you a better Mama, a better person.
What is Macy’s Heart of Haiti? Heart of Haiti is a “Trade, Not Aid” initiative launched by artist and social entrepreneur, Willa Shalit, The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and Macy’s. Already, Heart of Haiti has led to employment of 750 artists in Haiti, providing financial benefits for an estimated 8,500 people in the country.
Each item is a one-of-a-kind design and handmade by a Haitian master artisan from raw materials such as recycled oil drums, wrought iron, papier-mâché and stone. The collection features more than 40 home decor items including quilts, metalwork, ceramics, jewelry and paintings and is made almost entirely from recycled and sustainable items such as old cement bags, cardboard, oil drums and local gommier wood.
Heart of Haiti products are available online at Macy’s.com.
Thank you to Macy’s Heart of Haiti for sponsoring my participation in this “Share Your Heart” promotion. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own.
My philosophy is simple: just because you're a mom doesn't mean you have to forgo style or your life. You can do it all with a little help from Mama. Mama makes life easier by doing all the shopping, crafting and ranting for you because really...what Mama has the time for that?! Mama will not lie, I can bake but if you're looking for cooking tips you might be better off going someplace else!
