Martha Taumata Fa’avae
To be able to celebrate Mother’s Day every year makes Elisapeta Tinifu joyful.
“ I’m so thankful that I am able to celebrate Mother’s Day every year whereas other mothers unfortunately could not for they have passed on,” the 65-year-old mother said.
“ I thank God for the gift of life that enables me to live out each day and spend and enjoy time with my children and grandchildren.”
On Mother’s Day Tinifu does not expect any gifts from her children. Her children do give her presents and she is appreciative of their acknowledgement of her as their mother. But there is one present she would like her nine children to give her and that is to walk in the ways of the Lord. This present is more valuable to her than all the other presents Tinifu told Newsline.
“ Ever since they were little I remind them all the time that the present I desire from them is to walk in God’s ways. This is important to me. For if they do that they would be blessed and they would pass on that legacy to their children.
“ I do not expect them to give me things on Mother’s Day for they have their own families to care for and they are their priority.”
Tinifu believes on Mother’s Day has lost its significance as people are competing who gives the most expensive present to their mothers when there are priorities in the family that the money could be better spend on.
She is of the opinion that the family should cherish a mother each day; therefore each day is a mother’s day. That she said is in line with her church’s teaching.
Moreover, mothers are the mainstay of families and therefore a special day for them is worth celebrating Tinifu said.
“ There is no question about their achievements and contributions made to their families, church, country, work places and their professions,” she pointed out.
She added that her mother was always respected in the family and this started with their father. Since the start of celebrating Mother’s day they had always honoured their mother.
Her mother Tinifu remembered as a hard working mother who earned income for the family through fishing and raising pigs and chicken. From her she has learnt to take care of her family.
Tinifu is a woman determined to be financially independent and would like to continue to help support her children. For this reason she is making sure that her small business at the market sustains.
She would be found at the market selling agriculture produce which she grows. She has been doing it for two years. Before she was staying home looking after the family and an opportunity to earn an income came when her daughter asked to take over her stall at the market while she started up another venture. Tinifu thoroughly enjoys her new life and her financial independence.