la festa della mamma

When I was in elementary school, our teachers planned a Mother's Day Tea for 2 p.m. the Friday before the big day. Having been the teacher's pet eloquent writer and speaker that I was in my preteen days, I was chosen to compose and deliver the welcoming address.

A huge honor, of course, but my mother was a nurse and worked the 3-11 shift; I knew she wouldn't be able to make it.

But I wrote and edited and wrote and edited my little speech anyway because, well, other mothers would be there, and they deserved a good show too. Still when it came time to perform, I was nervous as I walked onto the stage, gripping my notecards for dear life.

Click click click said my shoes on the wooden floor--the only noises amidst complete silence.

Everyone was looking at me although I didn't dare glance at them. I simply got really close to the microphone like they had told me to do, took a deep breath, and said, "Good morning."

Finally I looked into the audience, and there she was.

My mom, front and center, beaming the smile that always comforted me. I delivered the rest of the welcome without so much as a stutter.

I still don't really know the details of how she managed it, but I know I appreciated it--so much so that it made it into one of my college essays (and I got in!).

But only now as an adult, another part of the story sticks out to me: my mother doesn't even drink tea.

Happy Mother's Day Mom and to all mothers,
including those in Italy, as today is La Festa della Mamma here as well!
You make life amazing!

(You think it's a coincidence that MOM upside down is WOW?)