Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day falls on the second Sunday of May. In Japan, we celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May as well.

In Japan, it is traditional to give red carnations on Mother’s Day. I have also heard that white carnations are offered for mothers who have passed away, perhaps placed on a family altar.

In some countries in the Southern Hemisphere, people give chrysanthemums instead. Since it is autumn there, chrysanthemums may simply be in season and especially beautiful at this time of year.

In Japan, however, chrysanthemums are also often associated with flowers offered to the deceased. A friend of mine who married internationally once told me that her mother was very surprised when she received chrysanthemums for Mother’s Day for the first time.

These days, online shops sell many kinds of Mother’s Day gifts besides carnations — colorful flower arrangements, sweets, and gift sets are very popular as well. This year, I gave my mother some traditional Japanese sweets.

The carnation in this photo was given to me by my daughter for Mother’s Day. She made it from origami paper. She is now 17 years old, so it was much more beautifully made than the origami carnations she made in kindergarten long ago.

My heart is full of gratitude simply because she was born and came into my life. Nat