Mama

I once read that the word most commonly uttered (or rasped) by a dying person in the final throes, is "mother".

In any language, mother ... or mama, mom, moeder, mana, mater, maman ... means the same thing: the one who held you, fed you, cared for you, protected you. Whatever happens later in life, an infant always thinks its mother is the centre of its universe. So no wonder a dying person thinks of the one who gave them their life, as they feel it slip away. Knowing this fact makes me a little nervous - if I'm that important, I'd better make sure that when my children are 95 and I'm long gone, they'll remember me in a good light!

I know I didn't appreciate my Mama, Mom, Moeder, Mana, Mater, Maman enough when I was growing up. It was easy to take her for granted, because she was so dependable, fair, consistent and unfailingly on my side. She still is, and I'm pleased we live 9 minutes away from her now, instead of 4 hours.

I wouldn't mind my final word being "mother". It's better than "don't shoot", I suppose! Or "for God's sake, slow down". Or "are you sure my parachute is packed properly?" Hmmm. I hope it's "goodnight, see you in the morning".