‘Mother is a magic word’

MANILA, Philippines - Here are some poems by James J. Metcalfe, which are lovingly dedicated to all mothers. In his collection of inspirational poems in the late ’40s and early ’50s, Metcalfe said that “Mother is a magic word. It is the symbol of love, of undying devotion, and endless, unselfish sacrifice.”

Thus, once every year we pay special tribute to our mothers — the life givers, who brought us  into this world and who have loved and protected us. We thank God for the gift of mothers. I also greet my 91-year-old mother, Bienvenida “Bening” Macalintal and my 95-year mother-in-law, Rosita “Rosing” Gamboa, and to my lovely wife, Mila, the caring and loving mother of our children, lawyer Mary Jinel Macalintal-Bautista, Victor and Michael.

Her Day

(By James J. Metcalfe)

Today belongs to Mother dear, it is her special day

We love her and we honor her, in our devoted way.

We cannot ever say our thanks, sufficient to her name

But we can add our praises, to her everlasting fame.

And she deserves the very best, for all that she has done

To form the finest character, in daughter and in son.

Her sacrifices never end, her words are never trite

And we are always happy, when she kisses us good night.

God bless each mother on this earth, wherever she may be

And keep her in His loving care, for all eternity.

Mother Dear

(By James J. Metcalfe)

Dear Mother, you are part of me, and I am part of you

And you are part of everything, I ever think or do.

And out of all the parts of life, I am or hope to be

I need not tell you, Mother Dear, you are the best in me.

You are the sweetest of my songs, the truest of my friends

You are the sunshine in my heart, the dream that never ends.

You are the hand that comforts me, the smile that lifts me up

And you are all the sugar, at the bottom of my cup.

Oh, Mother Dear, there are some things, I cannot write or say

But all my love and gratitude, are all for you today.

Dearest Mother

(By James J. Metcalfe)

There is no flower fair enough, or box or candy sweet

To give the gratitude that I, would offer at your feet.

There is no song so heavenly, or word of praise sincere

Sufficient to express my love, for you — my mother dear.

You are the angel of my life, the guardian of my youth

And every inspiration, for fidelity and truth.

I turn to you in trouble, and you smile and comfort me

Indeed your heart is always filled, with love and sympathy.

God bless you, Mother Dear, and may all your dreams come true

I love you and I thank you, and I think the world of you.

My Mother

(By James J. Metcalfe)

My mother is an angel, she is sweet as she can be

There is not anything on earth, she would not do for me.

She gives me all the minutes, and the hours of her day

And if I am in trouble, she is on her knees to pray.

She thinks of me from early dawn, until the setting sun

And through the night and in her dreams, I am her cherished one.

She does not wonder what to do, she does not ask me why

She only hopes I have the truth, to look her into the eye.

Oh, Mother, I am grateful for, your love and faith in me

And may I be your child and God’s, for all eternity.

(Romy Macalintal is an election lawyer who hosts the radio show, The Law of the Heart is Love, which airs Saturdays, 8 to 9 p.m. and Sundays, 9 to 10 p.m., over DWBR, where he plays love songs and read love poems with celebrities as guest poem readers. The entire proceeds generated from advertisements of his sponsors directly go to the scholarship program of Mission Guided By Mary Foundation, Inc., which is now supporting 650 poor elementary and high school of various Catholic parishes nationwide.)