T H E M O T H E R—D A U G H T E R P H O N E C A L L

To my daughter for Mother’s Day/

By ROZI THEOHARI/

— Hi, Mama, why didn’t you tell me?/

— Tell you what?/

— Why didn’t you tell me?/

— A mother raises a daughter/

Teaching her confidence./

— Why didn’t you tell me?/

— I told you how to love and to pray to God!

— Why didn’t you tell me?

— No one knows how I caressed you, girl—reciting

In tones so sweet heart-touching stories…

— Why didn’t you tell me?

— And you’re still growing swiftly

My respect for you is mingled with admiration.

— Why didn’t you tell me?

— Listen, the love of a mother

Brings blissful days, doesn’t it?

— Why didn’t you tell me?

— Of course my dear,

Sometimes days are blue

Becoming weary…very blue

But you have a husband for praising!

— Why didn’t you tell me?

— Look…you did manage your first pregnancy

I knew you could do it—I’m proud of

The cutest girl that a mother ever had.

— Why didn’t you tell me?

— …Tell you what…my child!?

— H o w m u c h I w o u I d l o v e m y b a b y !

M A Y 2003