Today is Mother's Day in the U.S. Here in Panamá, our official Mother's Day is December 8 (The Feast of the Immaculate Conception), but folks who lived in the Canal Zone (back in the day) also celebrate U.S. Mother's Day. In Costa Rica they celebrate Mother's Day in August. When we came to Panamá in 1999, Mona celebrated Mother's Day three times: May in the U.S., August in Costa Rica (We were at a language school in San José that month), and December in Panamá. This year she's celebrating in here in Panama. Mona is not my mother so I'm not going to worry about her Mother's Day! I ignored our first U.S. Mother's Day here in Panamá (well, I did call my mom!) and while I was standing at the door of the church saying "good'bye" to everyone, a woman asked me why I didn't acknowledge Mother's Day. I told her that I thought Mother's Day was in December in Panamá. She told me in no uncertain terms that the Ladies of St. Christopher's celebrate BOTH Mother's Days, so I don't forget anymore! This afternoon we'll celebrate Mother's Day by participating in a program put on by the Choir Guild of St. Christopher's, featuring many local musicians and a fashion show.
My mother lives in Sonora, California, with my father. My mom is a missionary's kid; her parents were missionaries with the Assemblies of God in China (where she was born) and in the Philippine Islands (where the family was interned by the Japanese during World War II). She and my father were confirmed in the Episcopal) Church a couple of years ago, but, living in the Diocese of San Joaquin, they've drifted to the Lutheran Church. Her name is Constance, which is also a good description of her character. She is a ball of fire and very opinionated (so now you know where that comes from) and I love her. She has a great sense of humour and laughs at all my jokes. As a child I enjoyed waiting until she was drinking something before I would deliver some zinger, and I was never disappointed (Did I ever tell you about the time my joke made my brother pass an entire cheese sandwich through his nose?). She and Dad have a dial-up connection, so they don't read the Dance Party (a thought which is scarier than Grandmère Mimi's Rector reading her blog) so she will only see this when I send it to her. ¡Feliz Día de Madre, Mamá!
I call her every year and sing this song I learned from Madeline Kahn on Saturday Night Live many, many, years ago (you know, back when the show was good!)
M is for the Many things she gave me...
O is for the Other things she gave me...
T is for the Thousand things she gave me...
H is for the Hundred things she gave me...
E is for Everything she gave me...
R is for the Rest of the things she gave me...
Put them all together, they spell MOTHER
The one who means the world to me!!!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, TO ALL MOTHERS.
5 comments:
Hi Padre,
What an interesting Life your Mom is having - I wonder if she liked reading the Pearl Buck novels -
That was a very sweet letter to your Mom - what a good boy you are Pardre!
Keith was thinking today that instead of Mothers Day and Fathers Day we should celebrate Parents Day - a one size fits all kinda thing.
Megan
Thanks for posting - one note: If you'll remember, Madeline Kahn finished her song with "P is for the presents that she gave me," such that the last line was "put them all together they spell "moooothheerrr...p."
The last drawing makes me cringe.
I love your post! What a good son and priest you are. Your mama did a good job, obviously. :-)
Yeah, that last picture is crazy, Caminante! I put in because it illustrates that fake 1950's childhood none of us experienced.
Anonymous (if that's your REAL name!), I forgot about the presents part of the song. It's been many many years and my brain is finally bearing the fruit of my youthful indiscretions.
Thanks to everyone for their comments.
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