b'final mattersMothers Make the HolidaysRemembering my own MomBY BEAU FIGHERAT houghts of the holidays present a variety ofstanding on every shelf. For Mom, it seemed easy to estab-sensations to our imaginations. Whether itslish a Christmas spirit in the home she built, and ensuring the beautiful Christmas tree in your hallway,a holiday environment was the first step in doing this.the wrapped presents under it, the aura ofMyresponsibilityduringthistimewastogetthe pine refreshing your home, the smell of bak- Christmas tree. How I got that role, I have no idea, but ing food alerting you and the family dog, orMom swore that I was the only one who could pick out the smiling faces reuniting at a chosen home,the tree. She said I always picked the right-sized tree, and the holidays bring a lot of special memories and comfort- most importantly, I knew which one had the most sooth-ing emotions. ing aura and pleasant scent.Im sure you can think of times when a family reunionLater on in December, Mom would get a plethora of didnt go as planned, but during the holidays, everybodypackages in the mail, as her extensive Christmas shop-seems to be on their best behavior, and theres a reason forping covered members of the family both in and out of that. Everything you could possibly need is available tothe house. She would close the doors to the living room, you, but these things dont appear out of thin air. TheseMy mother was by my side when I commit- as we all knew that in the days surrounding December 10, things, are quite costly and time-consuming, and theted to Towson University in 2018. the living room was reserved for her. This was because she people making it possible not only put in a lot of uncred- didnt want anybody peeking at gifts, and shed use this ited work during the holidays, but theytime efficiently wrapping presents with James Taylor and Frank Sinatra blaring arethereasoneverybodyisinagoodon the radio.mood and under less pressure when itsRight before Christmas, Mom would turn her attention to church and music. time to visit. Mom was always a singer, and she felt it was necessary to intertwine her musical A mother is the ultimate nurturer forskills with her Christmas spirit. Christmas Eve would come along, and Id attend young men and women in life, and dur- church, watching Mom sing gracefully in the choir. When I tell you shed move ing the holidays, it is absolutely ampli- nonstop during this time, I am hardly exaggerating: Shed work long shifts at fied. Gifts, decorations, hosting rooms,her job in the city, continue decorating and wrapping presents as soon as shed food, and music are all necessary partsget home, and then dedicate her Sunday mornings and afternoons to singing in of the holidays, and many families, in- church. Her spirit was the battery in her back that kept her running, and that cluding mine, can attest to how muchleft so many of us amazed.mothers shine during these times.When Christmas day arrived, everybody got what they wanted as soon as I have fond memories from an early age of my mother making the holidaysUnfortunately, it took me losing mythe sun came up, and Mom would make a scrumptious meal that could feed us special. mother to breast cancer back in 2020 totwice. I was always thankful to have these resources during the holidays, but I realize this. The first year without her,took them for granted. everything was quiet and empty, and being a 20-year-old young man at theAs I advance in life without my mother, I find myself spending time with other time, I really didnt know how to prepare for Christmas. Id always tell mymembers of the family during Christmas, and I make sure my thankfulness is ap-mother Thank you after every holiday, but it could never truly reflect theparent, as being tasked with saving the holidays is never an ordinary assignment. gratitude I have now, looking back at the holidays in her household.I always notice how much mothers go through to give everybody what they want My mother, who was always known to work long hours as a social worker,during the holidays, and its heartwarming to see how much happiness they sup-was an absolute machine during the holidays. It would start at the beginningply the family through all that tedious preparation during these times. of December, when Mom would begin decorating the house. There had to beBeau Fighera is a senior at Towson University, aiming to get his degree in journalism. a Christmas wreath on the front door, bells along the handrails, lights coveringHe is a proud graduate of Columbia High School, and as a hip-hop artist sports the every corner of the house, both inside and outside, and Christmas figurinesstage name Don Blake.50/ matters magazine / holiday 2022'