'She's My Best Friend Like No Other. She's My Mother.'

Everyone has a mother (whether alive or dead, close or distant), and with Mother's Day a few day's away, it's hard not to appreciate the simple and heartfelt beauty of a song recently written by the Rev. Edward F. Namiotka, pastor at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Somers Point.

The song is Namiotka's first creative musical attempt and his inspiration was, of course, his mom. It is performed by a group of local elementary school students, and links to a video posted on YouTube (watch it above) are spreading across social media networks.

Namiotka provides the best background on the creation of the piece:

Let me tell you the story behind my “Mom” song.

Each month, when I have a day or two off, I spend some time with my mother at her condo at the Jersey Shore. She and I have grown rather close over the years, especially since the passing of my father. While I was visiting mom one Tuesday afternoon, my sister arrived at my mom’s home with her youngest son. He was cranky after just getting up from a nap, and I watched as Cathy held him, tried to cheer him up and simply gave him her time and attention. The moment was priceless as I looked at the young mom (my sister Cathy) take care of her 2-year-old and the slightly older mom spend her time with me, her 52-year-old son.

On the way back to my home, I thought about the experience and I wanted somehow to capture this moment.  A song began to come to my mind while driving in my car with a simple melody and lyrics that I thought just about anyone could sing — especially a young child. When I arrived, I put my words to paper and sang the basic tune into my smartphone, using an app that I had on my phone for recording messages and talks.

With the help of my friend Julie Linn, the music/choir director and vocalist from my former parish and Scott Armato, whose creative genius was responsible for the piano accompaniment and harmonies, the song "Mom" took its current shape. It is sung by select children from five different schools combined into a single choir, now called Pure Jerzy Kidz. The students come from five South Jersey schools: Edgarton Christian Academy in Newfield; Cleary Elementary School in Buena Borough; Main Road School in Franklinville; St. Joseph's Regional School in Somers Point; and Joy D. Miller School in Egg Harbor Township. 

The song is meant to honor all moms and to accentuate the beauty of motherhood. (It would certainly make a nice tribute to moms for Mother’s Day!)

The song is now available on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and other digital music stores. (Search for “Mom” by Pure Jerzy Kidz.) It is also available in limited quantities as a CD single.  In addition, a music video of the song recently premiered on YouTube.

http://youtu.be/p8g32jv722A

A Facebook page has been created for: the song “Mom” https://www.facebook.com/momsongandvideo

and for Pure Jerzy Kidz https://www.facebook.com/purejerzykidz

Below are the lyrics to the song:

MOM

She wipes away my tear;

Provides a listening ear;

Her smile’s a work of art;

She holds me in her heart.

When I think about her, such joy comes to my face.

Everything about her is filled with love and grace.

She’s the one I run to in times both thick and thin

She’s my best friend

Like no other

She’s my mother!

She shows me how to love,

Tells me ‘bout God above.

Finds sunshine in the rain,

Kisses away all pain.

When I think about her, such joy comes to my face.

Everything about her is filled with love and grace.

She’s the one I run to in times both thick and thin

She’s my best friend

Like no other

She’s my mother!

Having a real bad day,

She makes it all okay!

Whenever I’m afraid

The worries quickly fade.

When I think about her, such joy comes to my face.

Everything about her is filled with love and grace.

She’s the one I run to in times both thick and thin

She’s my best friend

Like no other,

She’s a godsend,

That’s my mother!

She’s my best friend

Like no other,

She’s my mom!

______

See Mother's Day events in Ocean City.