My Mom Is My Hero

It's Father's Day weekend, but since my dad's a deadbeat, I'd like to write a post honouring my other parent: the bravest, most beautiful person I know.

My mom is a warrior. She's survived so much: 

-abusive relationships

-anorexia

-getting an epidural that would fuck up her tailbone for decades

-being paid a fraction of what she's worth doing a job she loved too much to quit

-subsequently quitting that job because her Fibromyalgia became too severe

-starting a mental health coaching business inspired by the support group she started in 1999 to help anxious kids like me

-getting ropivacaine injections in her head and then holding my hand while I get the same shots down my spine

-pretty much being my 24/7 caregiver when my pain and fatigue are too much to handle

-doing everything with empathy and love.

The truth is, I've tried so many times to write about my mom and what she means to me, but when a person is so special, so multi-faceted, how could a few hundred words on the Internet do her justice?

I guess the main thing I want to say is that, I know parents don't get to choose which of their genes to pass on, and I know I got some shitty ones (predisposition to mental illness and high blood pressure, anyone?!), but I got some incredible gifts instilled in me thanks to my mom, too. Like passion and empathy and the ability to express myself through writing. And I know if she could have had a say in what genes to give me, these positive ones I see in her are all I'd have.

I'm the luckiest daughter in the world. I mean that. Love you, Maman.

End of Winter White & Green Soup with Cheddar Cheese Scones

March is a magical month: Winter slowly creeps away, letting spring flowers grow, temperatures rise and the sun stay out longer. Last weekend, I spent an afternoon with my dad, and we made a delicious end of winter lunch. We think you'll like it, so here's the recipe (and more mouth-watering pictures!).

Cheddar Cheese Scones

2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour
2 tbsp granulated sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
1 1/4 cups cheddar, shredded
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg, lightly beaten (egg wash)

1 In a large bowl mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda,
cayenne pepper and salt.

2 Blend in butter using pastry cutter.

3 Add cheese and stir.

4 Add buttermilk and stir.

5 With floured hands, form a ball. Knead 10 times gently on a floured surface.

6 Pat out dough to 3/4" thickness and cut into rounds with a floured cutter.

7 Place rounds on an ungreased cookie sheet and lightly brush with egg wash.

8 Bake at 425• for 12-15 minutes until golden.

End of Winter Green and White Soup

8 cups water

2 bouillon cubes dissolved in boiling water or fresh vegetable stock
Potatoes, cubed
Onion, chopped
Celery, chopped
Olive oil
Spinach or rapini
Barley
1 bay leaf
Your choice of dried herbs, salt and pepper, to taste

1 Stir onions in hot olive oil until caramelized.

2  Add celery and stir.

3 Add stock, followed by hot water and bay leaf, and keep stirring.

4 Bring to a boil. Turn heat down to a simmer.

5 Add herbs, salt and pepper. Continue to let simmer for 30 minutes.

6 Add barley and let simmer until cooked.

7 Add spinach or rapini. Stir until slightly wilted.

8 Turn off heat. Serve with cheddar cheese biscuits and enjoy.

Bon appetit!

On Religion

 I've already talked about growing up in a multicultural family, but I haven't much touched on religion-- part because it can be a very heavy, controversial topic, but mainly because, until recently, I haven't had much to say about it.

As a child, I was mostly exposed to Judaism. Both of my parents were Jewish, and my father's side of the family (I didn't yet know my mom's) was, too. We had Passover seders, celebrated Rosh Hashanah, and I went to Hebrew school on Sunday mornings.

Around my twelfth birthday, I developed great interest in religious traditions and values. I started having Shabbat dinners at my Bubby's house, demanded that we celebrate Purim (the holiday from which my name, Esther, comes), and begged my parents to let me have a Bat Mitzvah.

My Bat Mitzvah was one of the best days of my life.

Around my fifteenth birthday, I experienced two huge changes: my parents separated and I developed a chronic illness.

I sought solace in (among other things) spirituality. I discovered Paganism (Wicca, in particular), and dove in, reading everything I could get my hands on, saying spells, invoking the Goddess Bastet and learning about sabbats, runes and deities.

Since then, my religious views have become even more ecelectic; in addition to Judaism and Paganism, I have been reading about Native religions and Christianity. I'm happy to be multidenominational.

In short, I believe no one religion is right, necessarily, and there's no need to subscribe to just one. If many aspects from many religions resonate with you, that's wonderful. Believe! Celebrate! Observe! 

To me, religion is something to strengthen and celebrate who you are and what you believe in. What ever that is, embrace it.

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