A TRIBUTE TO ALL MOTHERS EVERYWHERE

This Mother’s Day is special for me, as it is my first as a mother, or at least, a mother-to-be. I’m experiencing for the first time all the feelings I hear from mothers everywhere that didn’t mean so much watching from the outside – now, as I prepare to deliver my first child in 9 weeks at the ripe old age of 45 years, my perspectives have shifted.

I’m now filled with excitement to meet my little guy and am so curious to see what kind of personality he has, and who he looks like. Will he have his Dad’s famous Roman toe? Will he get my hairy back patch? Will he be athletic, smart, happy, healthy?

I realize now how much love, anxiety, stress, happiness, effort, pain and joy being a mother is. It makes me appreciate my own mother even more, knowing she felt all these things for me when she was alive.

So for this blog post, I’ve found 5 amazing women to talk to about their most memorable moments as mothers and their experiences with ice cream… this being an alternate ice cream blog n all ;p

Introducing:

Brynne, from AZ – Emmy nominated animation writer, activist and badass mother of three extraordinary kids, one of which is now a Hollywood writer and an equally badass activist herself.

Jane, from FL – A talented yoga instructor and first-time mom, 5 months into motherhood.

Lola, from KY – Mother of 4, grandmother to 8 and great-grandmother to 4 little rascals.

Randi, from KY – Daughter of Lola, and mother of one talented little boy.

Michelle, from TX – Mother of one, my sister and fearless, skydiving over-achiever.

I asked our mothers five simple questions and have compiled their responses below. So sit back with a glass of wine, your favorite tub of No Bull vegan ice cream, and enjoy a slice of motherly love…. And if you’re a mother too, I raise my alcohol-free glass of wine to you as I get ready for what is to come – and salute you for stepping up day in day out, thanklessly.

Michelle:

“I enjoy seeing my daughter concentrate on a project, whether it’s coloring, baking, or taking out the trash. I can see a real sense of accomplishment on her face and that makes me pretty happy.“

Q:  Do you have any memorable moments as a mother that involved ice cream?

Brynne:

“Every summer I took the kids to the Jersey shore to visit their grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. My parents had an old-fashioned wooden ice cream maker with the handle that had to be turned by hand. I always found it fascinating that choosing an ice cream flavor at the supermarket, all three stuck to vanilla, chocolate or strawberry, but when it was handmade, they’d be happy with peach, blackberry or whatever flavor we made.”

Jane:

“When I was pregnant with my son I craved sweets like crazy. I would say that ice cream was my biggest craving. I blamed his father, because he has a big sweet tooth.”

Lola:

“Leah –  made a funny face after each bite but she kept coming back for more.

Ricky – after his first taste, it’s all he ever wanted to eat.

Jason  – for the longest time would only eat chocolate ice cream. I don’t know if it was because that was the first kind he tried or because he liked it so much that he just didn’t want to try a different flavor.

Randi – would cry after each bite because it was so cold, but she still kept eating it.”

Randi:

“When my son was younger, anytime he saw me with something sweet he’d ask “Mom what is that?” I would say “THIS IS MOMMY’S”. Then he wouldn’t ask again. That was until others gave him sweets, then that became all he would ask for.”

Michelle:

“When her temperature is up and she’s not feeling great, ice cream really comes to the rescue. Giving her a little bit of ice cream really lifts her spirits and helps cool her body down, too. It’s a win-win!“

Q: What traditions do you have with your children that include food?

Brynne:

“When I was growing up, we spent a lot of time on the boardwalk at Seaside Heights. We’d swim all day and then stroll the boardwalk eating hot sausage and peppers. Dessert was a thick slice of Neapolitan ice cream between a pair of crisply toasted waffles, all wrapped in waxed paper. By the time my kids were old enough, Seaside Heights wasn’t the safest place to be, so all during the summers I made them waffle ice cream sandwiches at home.”

Jane:

“My son just turned 5 months old, and we will start solid foods soon. I’m so looking forward to seeing his face as he tries all these new foods for the first time.”

Lola:

“Each one had a different favorite food. So when they were young each week one would choose what they wanted to eat and we would all eat it together.  They also got to choose their favorite ice cream on their Birthdays.”

Randi:

“Each year he gets his face smashed in his cake.”

Michelle:

“Our family loves to bake! Our daughter loves nothing more than to roll out some dough or mix up some cake or cookie batter and create a delicious dessert; and what better way to serve any of the above but with ice cream! My father is a chef, so when he comes to visit, we always make a point of baking something together. It’s really fun and a great way to bond. It has become the highlight of his visits!“

Q:  What contributions in your life make you most proud?

Brynne:

“I like to think that being a supportive friend counts for something. I have a knack for helping newer writers find their own voice, and their accomplishments make me very proud. I have raised three kind and decent human beings, and I hope that counts for something as well.”

Jane:

“I’m proud of the small things I do to reduce my carbon footprint. I make my own laundry detergent, hand soap, and cleaning products. I use Naples soap company bars of shampoo, conditioner, and body soap, which use no packaging and work and smell awesome. I have reusable, Ziploc, grocery, and produce bags. I use cloth napkins, cloth-cleaning towels. I also use reusable diapers and wipes for my baby. I have a compost. I also don’t buy or drink out of plastic bottles (unless there’s a hurricane). I work hard to be very conscious of what I purchase and use in my home. Avoiding plastics and one-use items.”

Lola:

“All of my thoughtful and loving children, my willingness to forgive and my ability to put a smile on a friends face when they are feeling down.”

Randi:

“My son.”

Michelle:

“ I’m definitely most proud of raising a strong, confident little girl. We try to emphasize that she can be or do anything she wants — she’s just got to put her mind to it.”

Q:  What do you want to experience the most in your lifetime?

Brynne:

“I have led a pretty full and active life, so there isn’t much left that I haven’t already done as an individual. What I really want is for my country to return to some semblance of sanity.”