Dear Moms

Have you ever realised that mothers are usually the experts at everything? They seem to have a remedy in their apron pockets for almost anything. You have an ailment- mother knows best, you need a cooking tip- mother knows best, relationship woes- mother knows best, stress at the work place- mother knows best- mothers are really teachers, lawyers, pastors and paediatricians, the alias is mom but the roles are limitless. For this new monthly series called, "Ask Moms", 79-year-old mother of nine, adopted mother of eight and budding author, Mary Serrette, has volunteered her services to address the concerns of readers and try to add the mother's touch to matters of the heart, body and soul, the kitchen, the home, the kids and much, much more!

Dear Moms, I have terribly dry skin on my face, arms and neck. I have tried many creams yet these areas continue to be rough and dry. What do you suggest that I use.

Love Linda

Dear Linda,

My dear, as a long-time mom, back in the day we used to use simple homemade remedies and get the best results when it comes to skin care. My remedy for your problem will involve a stick of soft candle, a small bottle of olive oil and a small bottle of rose water, all of which you can get at your local drugstore. You have to make a paste using the olive oil and soft candle as I like to say, "cream" them into a paste. Apply the paste to your face daily every day for 14 days, washing off afterwards with water but not sweet soaps. When you apply the paste you have to rub your fingers into the areas that are the driest. At night you could sleep with the paste on your face and rinse off in the morning. After you wash off the paste pat the rose water throughout the area and leave it (rose water) to dry on your skin. Make sure while you are applying the paste you look at the reaction of the mixture on your skin because you and I know that what is for Peter may not be for Paul and you need to see if you are experiencing any allergic reactions. But between me and you I think this solution will work for you, once you follow Moms' instructions and you don't do your own thing!

PS: When using this ole-time remedy please don't use anything else and you will see the rewards. Secondly, you are what you eat and if you eating a balanced meal then you will have more skin problems than dryness!

Hugs and kisses,

Love Moms

ABOUT MOMS SERRETTE When Mary Serrette — also known as "Moms Serrette" to the community of Sangre Grande, her own and adopted children, peers, well wishers and friends- found out she was pregnant with her first child at age 16, she was afraid that she didn't know enough to be a mother. Having been raised by grandparents and "pumpkin-vine" aunts and uncles, she never knew a mother's love or a mother's touch because she lost her mother at a very young age and never knew what it felt like to have a mother. Being a praying person ever since she was a child, her prayer was- "Father God, help me!" Today nine successful and beautiful children and eight adopted children (who sometimes give her tickets to visit them abroad) later, she has realised that her fears were all in vain and that her fervent prayers worked. Motherhood is more than just a gift passed on from mother to daughter. Serrette has learned in every way, that motherhood is working hard in every job possible just to provide for your "pickernee". "I did everything from gardening, to selling doubles, to sewing, to delivering ID cards to mind my children!" she says. "It can be (but not limited to) 60 years of marriage fighting the odds, it's about coming up with remedies for everything when the hospital miles away and the drug store closed, it's about constant prayer and optimism even in the days when things go wrong and finally it's about finding enjoyment in everything, most of all the simple things because solving every problem can be tiring at times," she added. A woman with numerous skills, Serrette is a lay minister at her church, a former community leader, counsellor, a youth leader and cooking and craft teacher (and the list goes on). She believes her calling in life is to help others and put a smile on the face of everyone she meets because this life is worth living and according to her signature philosophy (one used in an appearance on TV6's Morning Edition)- "Taking joy in the simple things in life like waking up, enjoying the laughter of friends and family and most of all enjoying good health free of disease are secrets to happiness; if only we would realise that the formula is not in a bank account but staring at us, we would be happier people!"