- Michael Sloley/Freelance Photographer
Myrtle Barton - mother and business woman.
AMONG THE cards which you might see in your local pharmacy this Mother's Day will be one that's different, but one which will read like something that was written with you in mind. The line of cards will be new, standing out among the dozens of foreign imports.
The cards will look familiar because they feature Jamaican flora and fauna. Labelled 'True Expressions' by their creator, they were designed by Jamaican Myrtle Barton who says that each verse was written with true experiences in mind.
The candidness of the prose, she admits, is a departure from the usual sugar and roses, greeting card, approach. Each card, she says, is likely to bring to the reader a dose of reality.
The verses are based on her own experiences and those of others around her. They are what she terms "Reality in Poetry".
The cards contain verses which are her own heart felt sentiments, poems penned at day and in the night, and which she recently decided to share with those who might be feeling the same things.
One Mother's Day card with an orchid bloom, opens to read:
Now that I am a mother
I can tell you truthfully
How much I appreciate,
all the things you have done for me
It really is a challenge
to raise a family
and that is the reason why
I love you so dearly
Barton, who never knew her mother, but was mothered by many, including her sisters, says that she is more appreciative of their efforts now that she has her own children to raise.
"It is very challenging, the different stages of development of a child."
On her mind, particularly, are single moms, most of whom struggle on their own to raise children.
I admire your courage mother
for the sacrifices you have made,
begins another ode to Mom.
The verses, she says will not be far from the truth for every mother because the burden of child rearing often falls on the female's shoulders, whether they live with a partner or not.
Barton recently decided to share what she wrote in the form of cards.
"I now feel motivated to motivate others," the mother of two and businesswoman told Outlook. The writing, Myrtle Barton said, was the easy part. "I always liked reflection and writing. I decided to share with others."
The project has not been a simple challenge. She is no stranger to hard work (she jointly manages the Diahats Auto Parts and Car Care Centre with her husband), but this project, she said, was "like having a baby".
Barton single-handedly conducted her market survey coming across the common sentiment that the words were "real". They are speaking to "true experiences".
This April she was able to put out her first line of cards. The first to hit the pharmacies are Thoughts of a Mother, the line of cards saluting mothers and talking about the true experiences of these women.
Barton writes also about relationships. Other cards express special sentiments for fathers and for other members of the family. There are also Birthday, Get Well, Friendship and Anniversary cards in her catalogue. For Father's Day, she said, the cards are ones to motivate men to be there for their children.
Her Mother's Day cards will be easily recognised with their lovely lilac blooms and the bold yet delicate hibiscus which stands out on the cover. Barton, who has pursued her project with advice from the business development unit of JAMPRO, has made an effort to make the cards reflect the beauty of the island. Photographers George Hay and graphic artist Gary Harris worked along with her to create True Expressions.
The cards she says, have been one satisfying way of expressing her desire to communicate meaningfully on matters of relationship building.
- Avia Ustanny
