A Special Mother’s Day

By Daria Diakowsky

On Wednesday, May 9, 2007, a festively appointed Ukrainian National Federation Trident Banquet Hall in Toronto greeted a group of special women, on their day, at their annual Mother’s Day Dinner. A cheerful and thoughtful tone was set with the very first words of welcome by the Ukrainian Women’s Organization Toronto Branch  President, Stacey Suessmuth, and continued until well after coffee was served as many lingered to chat.

Close to 150 guests enjoyed a tasty, leisurely meal with wine interspersed with song, poetry, an enjoyable guest speaker and surprises.

Music was provided by the Branch’s own women’s Boyan Choir under the able direction of Natalia Futchylo and accompanied on the piano  by Natalia Obal. Their repertoire offered something for every taste. There was the spiritual and moving Ave Maria, where the splendid voice of soloist, soprano Yaroslawa Stasiw, was first heard by the audience. Two lyrical, romantic numbers, Red Poppies and Time Flows as a River called up a memory or two. The playful Oh, Mother, Mother, and Good Evening, Neighbour brought many a chuckle. The latter was particularly enjoyed as soprano Stasiw sparred with alto soloist Olya Wynyawska over the request to share a husband. A new arrangement for female voices by Y. Korchynsky of Victor Matiuk’s haunting Spring Song had its debut and was dedicated to the most senior mother in the room, Mrs. Rosalia Nestorowsky who is just shy of 100.

The youngest performers of the evening were 9-year-old Julia Yedletsky and her 4-year-old sister Sofia who recited the poem Three Mothers.

Guest Speaker, Maria Szkambara, President of the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations, was greeted with sustained applause when the audience learned she had received one of Ukraine’s highest honours, The Order of Princess Olha. She delighted all in attendance with her recounting of her dilemma: to find an appropriate topic for the evening. After numerous attempts she explained that her answer providentially appeared in an essay written by a student who in covering the topic, “The Most Influential Person in One’s Life”, chose to describe the many professions motherhood entails. The essay brought laughter, many nods of the head and a second burst of applause proving she had hit the mark.

As the evening’s surprise, UWO Member Anne Fedun, the Branch’s brand new great-grandmother, was asked to come to the podium. This inspirational member was then joined by the only other great-grandmothers in attendance; Rosalia Nestorowsky, Nadia Bodykevich and Stacey Suessmuth. The entire hall rose to applaud them and to sing Mnohaya Lita.

One of the most touching moments of the evening came when UNF member, Ihor Boddy, appeared with bouquets of flowers in his hand, spontaneously ran up to the microphone and greeted his mother Nadia and wife, Irene. No one could resist the man bearing flowers.

The evening came to a close with words of congratulation to all of the guests being fкted, spoken by Zenon Chwaluk, President, UNF Toronto Branch. He watched as many of the ladies returned home with door or lottery prizes and was pleased to see all of them leaving with a carnation flower, a gift from the members of the UNF Toronto Branch.

– Photos by Ulana Steck Kowal