In the movie 'Sister Act' the nuns sing a hymn, 'Hail Holy Queen' which includes some lines that date back to somewhere around the year 1000. Anyway, part of the song says, 'Mater ad mater inter marata' which I believe refers to Mary as the mother of all mothers. But that is a topic for another day- I have another reason for mentioning these words.
Yesterday our foreign exchange student Mate' went back to Hungary after a 10 month stay with us. It was sad to see him leave even though we knew he was going home. Early on in his stay it became apparent that bread and especially tomatoes were foods very much like what he enjoyed back home- and so these two foods became an early American staple of his diet.
Luckily we had a few prosperous tomato plants last summer and Mate' could eat his fill without us having to go to the store. He ate so many tomatoes I started calling him Mate', Mate', Mr Tomate' - which was a slight variation 'mater ad mater inter marata'. It's a funnier name in real life than it is in a blog.
Anyway, all that to start a story to tell you Mr. Tomate' was a great fit for us. He did everything we asked of him with the exception of a missed time or two taking the garbage to the street- a shared task which our son Caleb forgot about just as often (or more). We enjoyed showing Mate' all the features and benefits of life in America.
Somewhere along the line Mate' ceased to be our exchange student and instead became a part of our family. He took his fair share of teasing at our Petersen Sunday evening family dinners and dished out some of his own. He traveled with us on our annual trip to Okoboji where Sherri's side of the family gathers for food and golf and food and shopping and food and time on the lake- not to mention the soccer Cale's team played. Mr. Tomate' went tubing, swimming and spent an evening at Arnold's Park in addition to all the other family activities.
His adventure with us provides a few life lessons- that time does indeed fly by- just as the years seem to fly by for us. One day we will all be going home as well and that time comes faster than any of us can imagine. Sherri helped Mate' pack, no easy task when you are limited to 50 pounds. He ended up leaving a few things behind- of course we'll leave everything behind on our final trip home.
There was rejoicing in Hungary when Mate' got home- a family so happy to see their son again. I'm confident there will be rejoicing upon our arrival home as well. Till that day comes, we enjoy the company of each other just as we enjoyed the company of Mate', Mate', Mr. Tomate'. So here's to a season of tomato fun with Mate', a lifetime of happiness with family and friends, and an eternity of joy in heaven.
Blest Regards,
Keith
No comments:
Post a Comment