Happy Mother’s Day!
Here’s a humble present to all of you, wonderful moms who, with your kindness, gift us daily with a better world. I’d like to share with you the letter I translated below from Ramon Angel Jara, Chilean bishop, to the children of and Argentinian household, on the occasion of having been hosted as a guest at the family’s home. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Happy mother’s day!
CARTA DE RAMÓN ÁNGEL JARA, OBISPO DE CHILE, A UNOS NIÑOS, EN OCASIÓN DE HABER SIDO HOSPEDADO POR UNA FAMILIA ARGENTINA. (Original text - Translation below)
Mayo de 1910
Queridos niños:
Hay una mujer que tiene algo de Dios por la inmensidad de su amor, y mucho de ángel por la incansable solicitud de su cuidado.
Una mujer que, siempre joven, tiene la reflexión de una anciana, y en la vejez, trabaja con el vigor de la juventud, una mujer que, si es ignorante, descubre todos los secretos de la vida con más acierto que un sabio, y si es instruida, se acomoda a la simplicidad de los niños; una mujer que siendo pobre, se satisface con la felicidad de los que ama, y siendo rica, daría con gusto su tesoro por no sufrir en su corazón la herida de la ingratitud; una mujer que, siendo vigorosa, se estremece con el gemido de un niño y, siendo débil, se reviste a veces con la bravura del león; una mujer, que mientras vive, no la sabemos estimar, porque a su lado todos los dolores se olvidan, pero después de muerta, daríamos, todo lo que somos y todo lo que tenemos por mirarla, de nuevo un solo instante, por recibir de ella un solo abrazo, por escuchar un solo acento de sus labios.
De esa mujer no me exijan el nombre, sino quieren que empape con lágrimas vuestro álbum porque yo la vi pasar en mi camino.
Cuando crezcan, vuestros hijos leedles esta página y ellos cubriendo de besos vuestra frente os dirán que un humilde viajero en pago del suntuoso hospedaje recibido ha dejado aquí para vosotros y para ellos, un boceto del retrato de su Madre.
LETTER OF RAMON ANGEL JARA, CHILEAN BISHOP, TO THE CHILDREN OF A HOUSEHOLD, ON OCCASION OF HAVING BEEN HOSTED BY AN ARGENTINIAN FAMILY.
May 1910
Dear children:
There is a woman that has something of God for the immensity of her love, and much of an angel for the indefatigable solicitude of her care.
A woman that, always young, has the discernment of an old lady, and in her old age works with the vigor of youth; a woman that, if ignorant, discovers all the secrets of life with more accuracy than the sage and, if learned, molds herself to the simplicity of children; a woman that being poor, is satisfied with the happiness of those she loves, and being wealthy would happily give up her treasure so as not to suffer in her heart the wound of ingratitude; a woman that, being strong, shudders with the wailing of a child and, being weak, often coats herself with the bravery of the lion; a woman that, while she lives, we don’t fully appreciate for all pains are forgotten when we are by her side, however, once she dies, we would give everything that we are and have, to look at her again for a single moment, to receive from her a single hug or to hear a single accent from her lips.
Of that woman, please don’t demand from me her name, if you don’t want me to wet with tears your guestbook as I saw her go by on my journey.
When your children grow up, read them this page and they, covering your forehead with kisses, will tell you that a humble traveler left as payment for his sumptuous lodging, for you and for them, this sketch of his mother’s portrait.