Magnavite: Three letters that say it all: MOM
Dean Magnavite dmagnavite@southtownstar.com | (708) 633-5937 May 8, 2011 6:52PM
The Magnavites: Rocco (from left), Mom, Dean. | Supplied photo
Someone’s
Turning 50
SouthtownStar night production editor Dean Magnavite will turn 50 on June 10.
Help an old guy
You can post messages — and click “Like” — at tinyurl.com/HalfCenturyMan or pass along words of advice for this future 50-year-old at blogs@southtownstar.com/fifty/
Updated: January 23, 2012 2:20AM
Who is Mom? What makes her so special?
Mom is a life-giver. We all know that. Mom also is a lifesaver. When we’re drowning, in the figurative sense, she’s the one to pull us through.
Mom’s a drill sergeant. “Listen when I speak to you.”
Mom’s a teacher. We just didn’t show up in first grade without knowing our A-B-Cs or how to tie our shoes.
Mom’s a cook. She made sure we never went hungry, to the point of giving us TOO much to eat.
Mom’s a baker. Banana cupcakes her specialty.
Mom’s a cleaner. The house, our clothes ... everything was in order.
Mom’s a fashion consultant. “You’re NOT going out of THIS house looking like THAT!”
Mom’s a coach. Mom’s a cheerleader — often both at the same time.
Mom’s an exercise guru. “A ride? You could make the walk. I did. It’s not that far.”
Mom’s a psychiatrist. “You’re OK. Don’t feel sorry for yourself.”
Mom’s a nurse. There’s no wound she can’t mend. And no one can heal the emotional scars better than she.
Mom’s a support group. She’ll tell us we’re right even when everyone else tells us we’re wrong, and she’ll tell us we’re wrong when we just know we’re in the right.
Mom’s a spiritual adviser. She always keeps the faith.
Mom’s a banker. “Do you really need that pair of jeans? Do you really need that album? Save your money for when you get older, when you need it.”
Mom’s a philanthropist. “Think about those who aren’t as lucky as you. They could use some help.”
Mom’s a rocker — to an extent. “The Beatles? Of course. But none of that loud, whiny guitar stuff.”
Mom’s a dancer. Kolos and the jitterbug her specialties.
Mom’s a listener. Even when you think she’s not paying attention, she is.
Mom’s a philosopher. “You can teach people only so much. If they don’t want to learn, you can’t teach them.”
Mom’s a timekeeper. “Ten o’clock means 10 o’clock. It doesn’t mean 10:30.”
Mom’s a calculator. Really, she is. She just doesn’t NEED a calculator.
Mom’s a judge. “Two weeks, no TV.” And there’s never a chance of parole.
Mom’s just a phone call away. “I’m right here if you need anything.”
Mom’s a neighbor. “Take these cookies to the guys working across the street. ... It’s hot out today. Give this bottle of water to the mailman when he comes to the door.”
Mom’s a dad. When you don’t have one around, she does both jobs — and without complaints.
Mom’s your best friend.
My mom’s all that. Yours probably is, too. And in the year in which I will turn 50, my mother — call her “Steffi,” call her “Ep,” call her “Baba” — will turn 75. It’s a milestone year for each of us.
So to my mom — and to moms everywhere — “Happy Mother’s Day.” I hope you’ll all forgive me for being one day after the fact.
A reason to SMILY
Our newly formed group, SMILY — Start Meeting Individuals Like You — is growing.
For those who don’t know, it’s an informal group for men and women who are around 50 (a few years on either side is OK) who have been through or are going through a divorce and are looking to make new friends.
If you haven’t signed up yet
and would like to join, email
dmagnavite@southtownstar.com (put SMILY in the subject line) or call (708) 633-5937.
