Mother's Day in Uncertain Times

Easter and Passover this year have been celebrated differently than usual due to COVID-19. Places of worship were closed; many religious services were streamed online for people to watch in their homes. Families, which normally gather together on such occasions, were celebrating a quieter holiday in isolation from each other.

And now Mother's Day is upon us during these strange and uncertain times. With so many stores, museums, concerts, and restaurants closed to customers, how do we celebrate and honor the woman who has done so much for us? Here are some ideas:

• Buy mom a gift certificate.  If mom's favorite store, hairdresser, or manicurist is closed at the moment, chances are you can go online and buy a gift certificate. Mom will appreciate the gift later and you'll be helping those in your community now.
• Make or share a meal.  If you live in the same household, you can make a meal for mom. If you don't, you can get takeout (many restaurants are still open for takeout) and leave it on mom's doorstep for her to enjoy.
• Say hello while keeping a healthy distance.  Make signs or giant cards to hold from the sidewalk for mom to see from her window.
• Watch a concert or Broadway show together virtually.  Some orchestral concerts and theatrical shows are available online for free during this time. Why not watch one and talk about it afterwards?
• Tour a museum virtually together.  Ever wanted to visit the Art Institute of Chicago? How about New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, or the British Museum, London? These museums and others now have virtual tours.
• Give mom a call.  This works any day, whether it's Mother's Day or not. Mom would love to hear from you.
• Read a book together.  You can read a favorite book aloud with mom over the phone, through virtual chat, or in person.

Just because this year is different than other years doesn't mean that Mother's Day can't be special. The greatest gift you can give your mom is showing her how much you care and love her.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Mother's Day from the perch.