Memories are part of life, and special efforts for special days are tucked away in our minds. It was a tradition in our family to give "mom" breakfast in bed on her special day. My husband would get the boys up, and all would help. The tray would be brought in with a flower, eggs, bacon and toast.

When my husband was in Viet Nam we were in a rental house in Texas. Each day that passed with him being safe was a good one. Mother's day would be a day when I would call my own mother, so far away.

Opening my eyes, on that May day, I heard whispering in the hall. And there they all were, with big smiles and a tray. Four boys under nine. They were so excited they stayed to watch me eat. I don't remember how it tasted and, of course, it didn't matter. We loved one another, and the days passed.

Mother's Day to Be:

Let's welcome the young ones to the kitchen!

What's easy and fun for them? (Where they need a small amount of help)

Breakfast;

Fix a nice tray, breakfast in bed?

Orange juice: with a strawberry on the bottom, in a chilled glass

Scrambled eggs, maybe with a bit of grated cheese added at the end

(and a sprig of forsythia beside the plate?)

Fruit in a pretty bowl: let them add grapes sliced in half, and a bit of sprinkled nuts

Small muffins: bought, but let them warm a short time in the oven, (microwave toughens them.) melt a bit of butter, let them brush it on the top when warmed, then have them dip the tops in regular or cinnamon sugar

Coffee or Tea: in a pretty cup, with sugar, milk or lemon.

Lunch or Dinner:

Purchase a roasted chicken, washed baby greens, green onions, 3 sandwich slices boiled ham, one orange, one avocado, vegetable oil, crescent rolls, jam of choice

Unroll crescent rolls, separate into triangles, spread with a small amount of apricot jam, bake in an aluminum foil lined cookie sheet according to directions when salad is ready to be assembled.

Cut chicken and ham in bitesize pieces, rewash salad greens and drain well, chop 2-3 scallions, skin and cut orange sections away from pith over a small bowl reserving juice, skin avocado and cut it in bite-size pieces. Place it in a bowl with lemonade to keep it from turning brown or sprinkle it with lemon juice. Make a salad dressing of 1 part orange juice plus a tablespoon of lemon juice to 3 parts vegetable oil, 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard, a tablespoon of honey, salt and pepper to taste.

Put out all the ingredients and let the kids form the salad:

Dessert

Pound cake with ice cream, sauce and sprinkles

Purchase frozen pound cake, and let thaw in fridge. Slice in 1/2 in pieces, and top with Mom's favorite ice cream. Cover with her favorite ice cream sauce, and some sprinkles and serve with a hug.

May you all have a wonderful Mother's Day. pgg