I want to tell you about a song I had written about 10 years ago. Please indulge me
for a moment while I familiarize you with the details.
Each month, when I have a day or
two off, I try to spend some time with my mother at her condo at the Jersey shore. She and I have grown rather close over the years, especially since
the passing of my father in 1995. We have vacationed together, enjoyed
many dinners and shows out and about, and simply talk about everything
and anything.
While I was visiting mom
one Tuesday afternoon, my sister arrived at my mom’s home with her youngest son. He was cranky after just getting up from a nap and I watched
as Cathy held him, tried to cheer him up and simply gave him her time
and attention. The moment was priceless as I looked at the young mom (my
sister Cathy) take care of her then two year old and the slightly older mom
spend her time with her then fifty-two year old son.
On the way back to my rectory I
thought about the experience and I wanted somehow to capture this moment.
I also thought of a very special image of a Mother to me—the icon of Our
Lady of Perpetual Help. I give a brief description of the icon’s
meaning:
It represents the Mother of God holding
the Divine Child while the Archangels Michael and Gabriel are presenting
Him the instruments of His Passion. . . . His passion is represented by angels
holding instruments of His passion, most often the cross, the lance, the
sponge, and the nails. . . . The Child Jesus is shown with an adult face and a
high brow, indicating His divine Mind of infinite intelligence. As God,
He knew that the angelic apparition was prophetic of His future passion.
Yet in His human nature as a small child, He is frightened and runs to His
Mother for protection. Our Lady hastily picks Him up and clasps Him to
her bosom. This action is indicated by the fact that the Lord’s right
foot is nervously curled about the left ankle and in such haste that His right
sandal has become loosened and hangs by a single strap. Further
action is indicated by the way the Child Jesus clasps His Mother’s right hand
with both of His, holding tightly to Our Lady’s thumb. (Catholic News Agency)
A song began to come to my
mind while driving in my car with a simple melody and lyrics that I thought
just about anyone could sing—especially a young child. When I arrived at
my rectory, I put my words to paper and sang the basic tune into my smart
phone, using an app that I had on my phone for recording messages and talks.
I employed the help of my long-time friend Julie Linn, who was the music/choir director and vocalist from my former parish (and now, once again, holds that position here at St. Thomas More Parish). With Scott
Armato, whose creative genius was responsible for the piano accompaniment
and harmonies, the song Mom took its current shape. It was sung by
select children (now grown) from five different schools combined into a single choir, we called Pure Jerzy Kidz. The students came from five South Jersey
schools: Edgarton Christian Academy, Newfield; Cleary Elementary
School, Buena; Main Road School, Franklinville; St. Joseph's Regional School,
Somers Point; and Joy D. Miller School, Egg Harbor Township.
The
song is meant to honor all moms with the inspiration coming from three
moms in particular: my own mother, my sister Cathy and Mary,
the Mother of God.
The song is available on iTunes, Amazon, and other digital music stores. It is also available as a CD single. In addition, a music video can be found on YouTube.
The song is available on iTunes, Amazon, and other digital music stores. It is also available as a CD single. In addition, a music video can be found on YouTube.
Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor
These are the lyrics to my song:
MOM
She wipes away my tear;
Provides a listening ear;
Her smile’s a work of art;
She holds me in her heart.
When I think about her,
such joy comes to my face.
Everything about her is filled
with love and grace.
She’s the one I run to in
times both thick and thin.
She’s my best friend
Like no other
She’s my mother!
She shows me how to love,
Tells me ‘bout God above.
Finds sunshine in the
rain,
Kisses away all pain.
When I think about her,
such joy comes to my face.
Everything about her is filled
with love and grace.
She’s the one I run to in
times both thick and thin.
She’s my best friend
Like no other
She’s my mother!
Having a real bad day,
She makes it all okay!
Whenever I’m afraid
The worries quickly fade.
When I think about her, such
joy comes to my face.
Everything about her is filled
with love and grace.
She’s the one I run to in
times both thick and thin.
She’s my best friend
Like no other
She’s a godsend,
That's my mother!
She’s my best friend
Like no other
She’s my mom!
©2012 Edward
F. Namiotka
So beautiful! Thank you for sharing, Fr. Ed.
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