The way we say it By Daniel Soto

means the same thing, but with this word order it’s impossible to tack anything on the end.
 
In Latin America our mothers are at the very center of family life.  Madre, solo hay una, demonstrates to children how dear their mother’s are to them and how important it is not to disappoint them by misbehaving in school or in later life.  It also teaches us to honor and protect our mothers because, after all, we only have one.

Once, as a young child, I cut my finger very badly, and my twin brother tried to heal it, but rather than getting better the cut got worse and became infected. So, I ended up having to go to the Clinica Biblica, where my mother worked as a nurse.

The doctor had to clean the wound and he told me it would hurt. Indeed it did! I screamed and cried until my mother appeared in the doorway in her nurse’s uniform. She soothed me and told me to be a brave soldier.

Of course, I always wanted to please my mother, so I did the best I could not to cry out any more. Over the next few weeks the wound began gradually to heal. But in the back of my mind I kept telling myself “Madre, solo hay una,” and that would help me not to cry when she needed to clean the wound and prepare fresh bandages. My mother was teaching me to be strong and have courage, a lesson that would serve me well in later life.

Today I look at my finger and am reminded of my mother and how hard she worked so her children could have an education and a good life. But I am also reminded of her love and care. I remember that woman with love and respect, and yes, even a little fear. She was one of a kind. Madre, solo hay una.

This is an encore version of Daniel Soto's Mother's Day 2004 column. It is one of our favorites.