FROM MAMA TO MATER

    Today is the day traditionally set aside to honor the mother in our lives. Frankly, I think it should be an every day occurrence - hear that, children? - but seriously, what does this mean and who is Mama?
      From the very first ma ma out of the baby's mouth, to the mama or mommy or mom or mater, there is nothing like a mother. This is the woman who will defend you with her life - and we saw that in Israel as the mother fought off the murderer at the door so her children inside would be safe. We see that in Somalia as the mother holds her skeletal child and gives it the last bit of food. We sees it in the refugee boats as the mother hangs tight to her child, the child she wishes to grow up in a better world. And we hear it in the last anguished cry of a dying soldier, a sound to break the heart of the coldest person.
     My mother was always there. In fact, I can remember how unhappy I was, even as a teenager, to come home to an empty house on the rare occasions that my mother was not home, waiting for me, waiting to ask how my day was. To the day I married, she and/or my father were always there to kiss me goodnight. Call it what you will, for me, it was important.
     Mommy was the one who bandaged my boo boo on my knee, who encouraged me to do well in school, to try, even in the subjects I hated - like chemistry!! She was the one who demanded that I live up to certain standards and understand my behavior. She was the one who dispensed not only the hugs and kisses, the TLC, but also the one who punished us when we were disobedient, as kids. So play the mommy/daddy game I did, knowing to whom I should go for special dispensation or for a signature on a paper. Thanks for that, Pop, but also thanks to you, Mom, for demanding that I challenge myself and not take the easy way out.
     So it matters not if it is Connie Francis singing  "Mama" or the whole world singing "My Yiddishe Mama" for no matter the nationality or culture, Mama is Mama, the woman who loved you beyond all measure, the woman who put you before her life, the woman who bought you that special item, who cooked your favorite food, who lavished you with love and extra care when you were sick. That woman is worldwide.
     Thus it is not so bad when you stop and wonder, "Was that my mother coming out of my mouth?" Or OMG, Mommy always did that and now me?". Or most of all, when one looks in the mirror and sees one's mother. It matters not whatever name you gave to that special person - Mama, or Momma, or Mom, or Mother, or Mater or Mommy, or whatever special name you made up. So to my Nellie, and to all mothers of the world - and that includes my own family and friends, a wonderful Mother's Day and remember, it is okay to miss your mom if she is gone. I miss mine more than words can say- but at least I see her in the mirror!! So get out there and get that extra hug and kiss and maybe even that item you've been wanting! But I must say, the hugs ands kisses are the best gift ever.