Mother's Day is celebrated on different days around the world, but its basic sentiment is widely shared.
"It's really one of those cultural universals, the love that mothers have for their children and the love that children have for their mothers, as well as all the other things that come with that mother-child relationship," said Tara Dupper, resettlement coordinator for New American Services at Lutheran Social Services in Grand Forks.
In an English language learners' class at Grand Forks' South Middle School on Friday afternoon, students discussed how Americans celebrate Mother's Day. The students, from Liberia, Nepal, Norway and Saudi Arabia, said Mother's Day was a holiday they celebrated in their home countries, too.
Eighth-grader Courage Massaquoi said she made her mother a card and the family will go out to eat Sunday. Her family moved to the U.S. from Liberia in 2007, where they celebrated Mother's Day in much the same way.
"It's good to make things," Courage said in class.
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"Yes, mothers love homemade things," said teacher Susan Korynta. "And they love to go out to eat, because then they don't have to cook!"
"Who doesn't like to cook?" Courage asked in disbelief. "Oh, I love to cook."
Pema Tamang's family moved to Grand Forks from Nepal three months ago. The Nepalese celebration of mothers, Mata Tirtha Aunsi, happens in April or May. Pema plans to celebrate Sunday, too.
"This year my mom is sick, so I will help her and give good food to her," the eighth-grader said. "My plan is to give her a small present, like flowers."
UK's Mothering Sunday
Jane Sykes-Wilson, an education abroad adviser at UND, hails from the United Kingdom. There, "Mothering Sunday" is celebrated on the Fourth Sunday in Lent.
This year the holiday fell on April 3, just two weeks after Sykes-Wilson gave birth to her first child, George.
"He didn't choose to celebrate that day, so we'll see whether he chooses to celebrate this Sunday," Sykes-Wilson said.
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Since her mother still lives in the United Kingdom, Sykes-Wilson sends her mother a card on Mothering Sunday. However, finding an appropriate card can be difficult.
"When it's English Mother's Day I can't find a card, because they don't sell them that far in advance here," Sykes-Wilson said. "Usually, I'll send her an Easter card."
This year, she sent her mother flowers, a card and photos of the new baby.
Gulya covers education. Reach her at (701) 780-1118; (800) 477-6572, ext. 118; or send e-mail to lgulya@gfherald.com .
