By Valerie Fraling, Special to the AFRO

“Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself. They come through you, but not from you. And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you. You may house their bodies, but not souls. You may strive to be like them but seek not to make them like you. You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.” Kahlil Gibran

Every day is Mother’s Day, so as you celebrate and remember your mother on Mother’s Day May 12, 2019, remember the little things that make your mom special.

“I just called to say I love you” Stevie Wonder

Shower her with hugs, kisses and endless phone calls. Fill her heart with laughter and merriment you are creating memories that will comfort you when she is no longer here.

“I’ll always love my mother” Intruders

It’s hard to believe that we will experience our first Mother’s Day without our mother. As we approach Mother’s Day, I’m reminded of one of the last conversations Mommy and I had.

“Mommy what am I going to do without; I thought you would always be here with me. My Mother in her very practical manner said. “You’ll be okay; I can’t stay here with you forever”

“I know for certain that we never lose the people we love even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.” Leo Buscaglia

Yes, like many others without their mothers we will remember the moments that made us cry, laugh or scream and the hugs and kisses that would make everything okay. We will remember comments they made when we were young and didn’t know what it meant, only to grow old and learn Mother wit. We will carry a special smile on our face that only a mother could understand. But most importantly we know that a mother’s love is irreplaceable.

“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief and unspeakable love.” Washington Irving

Remembering Geraldine” Cutty” Thompson on her death at the age of 96. You remember her from the old Baltimore Country Club or Maceo’s Lounge. Full of fun, a good story and some saucy words. She loved to tell people that they were sitting in her living room when Maceo’s expanded next door to the house she had lived in for years. When Geraldine turned 94, I took her to DUDA in Fells Point for lunch. We walked into DUDA and Geraldine announced I’m 94 today and my friend brought me to lunch. The diners applauded, asked Geraldine what she was drinking, she said Cutty Sark “straight no chaser”; that’s why they call me Cutty! A piece of Baltimore’s history died with you; maybe now you and Biddy Wood can finish that book.

Sending prayers to Catherine and Rodney Orange Sr. on the death of their son Rodney; to Reva Lewie and family on the death of Tuskegee Airman Lemuel Arthur Lewie, at the age of 99. Thanks for your service.

Celebration time!

People are still raving about the 80th birthday party for Shirley Richmond hosted by her daughter Sharon Richmond at Owings Mills Groveton Grove. The party was a reunion of family, friends and members of the Pinochle Pals.

Happy birthday Senator Delores Kelley, Honorable Sharon Green Middleton, Donald “Duck” Welling, Lee Stokes, Daisy Brown, Billy Cool, Binx Watts and happy 95th birthday Elizabeth Goins.

“Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone, even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.” Kahlil Gibran

Wishing a happy 61st anniversary to Adolph and Helen McDonald and a happy anniversary to Dr. Vallen and Michele Emery.

“Going to a restaurant is one of my keenest pleasures. Meeting someplace with old and new friends, ordering wine, eating food, surrounded by strangers, I think is the core of what it means to live a civilized life.” Adam Gopnik

If you are in the Towson area check out Towson Tavern located near the traffic circle, they offer delicious food served in an upscale restaurant. If you don’t want to sit at the bar there is a massive dining room or and a cozy lounge area with a fireplace.

Looking for Mexican food stop pass Blue Agave in Federal Hill for happy hour from 3 to 7pm featuring assorted tacos including shrimp, pulled pork and house margaritas.

Come out and support Urban Oyster located in McHenry Row serving broiled or fresh oysters and assorted seafood. We went on a Thursday after their soft opening. The chef came out to personally welcome us. Thursday night features a seafood boil with lobster etc. Drinks are limited to a few refreshing specialty drinks.

“Members only, it’s a private party. Don’t need no money to qualify. Don’t bring your checkbook…” Bobby Blue Bland

My best friend forever (BFF) Dr. Marie Washington and I were enjoying dinner at the Center Club when I spotted members of the No Name Club hosting dinner for their wives and the widows of deceased club members. The gentlemen were attired in formal white dinner jackets and the wives were dressed in after five made for a beautiful sight. Some of the members in attendance were Ralph and Brenda

Wright, Gwen and Nat Trader, Cordell and Dell Boone, Charlene and John McCargo, Gladys and Rob Rice and Alex and Joan Brown.

Meet me at Little Havana on Key Highway on Cinco de Maya at 2 pm for a fun Sunday.