Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Mother’s Day in American Samoa is honored with most, if not all, celebrating this coming Sunday by going to church with their beloved mother, or with her love wrapped in bittersweet memories of days when the woman that raised you and taught you to be of humanity was always beside you with undying love. Such is the love of a Samoan for their mother.

Part of the preparations to celebrate Mother’s Day in the territory comes with purchasing a new special puletasi/ outfit for her to wear to church, maybe a hat as well, and of course the ula. The shops and sewing shops are busy!

There will be others that will shop for the gift that will honor her role as ‘tina o le aiga’.

Then there’s the toana’i of her favorite foods, which for once she doesn’t have to cook — so maybe it’s a Sunday lunch at a restaurant of her choice.

Church services will celebrate mothers who are the mainstay of the families that make up a church’s congregation — making sure the support tasks for the church happen. This is oddly, less of the women sitting back and enjoying being feted by their spouses/ partners, children, and congregation, but instead is usually a program comprising song, skits and dance created by the mothers/ women of the congregation to celebrate their lives.

Whatever the case may be, it’s that special time of the year where our focus is all on our ‘Tina’. There’s no Monday holiday to follow — there should be — but there certainly is an anticipation that we are celebrating the cornerstone of ‘aiga’.

From Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following statement in celebration of Mother’s Day:

“Have a happy Mother’s Day! Motherhood is a great joy and one of life’s most wonderful blessings. Mothers are entrusted with the care, guidance, and inspiration of children. ‘Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ (Proverbs 22:6) In that influential way, mothers provide the lessons and direction that last entire lifetimes, and are still doing good years in the future.

“Mother’s Day is always the right time to let your mom know how much you love, admire, and appreciate her. For many of us, Mother’s Day will also bring back special memories of our mom. Throughout life, most of us will never know more complete support than a mother’s love.

“Moms, thank each one of you for all you have done for your children! ‘Her children rise up and call her blessed,’ (Proverbs 31:28). May your children bring ongoing joy. God bless you this Mother’s Day.”

Samoa News management & staff wish all ‘Tina’ this Mother’s Day a joyous and happy one. Be safe. May God’s grace be your guiding light.