by Patty Meza
Hispanic families are traditionally matriarchal, and so, Mother’s Day is regarded as one of the most important holidays for this community. In a Hispanic home, mothers occupy a special place of honor every day of the year, but Mother’s Day is a day of extra special appreciation. It is a holiday that most connect emotionally with Hispanics.
One of the customs we embrace is to get together with a group of friends who are musically inclined. The musicians normally begin sometime not long after midnight on the night before Mother’s Day, making their rounds to first one house and another awakening mothers with the familiar strains of “Las Mañanitas,” Mexico’s lovely all-purpose song for serenades, birthdays, saints’ days and other celebrations.
At South Branch library, a program, Serenata Para Mama, was held on Saturday, May 16, to salute mothers. I had contact with a popular local singer, Sandra Zamora. and she aspired to give her free time and share her talent to a group of kids who wished to learn how to sing. Zamora’s wish was to have the kids perform a special song for their mothers. South Branch staff are truly appreciative of her volunteerism as well as great example and impressive talent.
Zamora also brought in a group of talented musicians who made an appearance to entertain all the mothers who were present. Alexia Romero was one of the performers. Alexia is a new local artist who won “la Voz Mi Raza” 2014.
Patty Meza is an adult services associate at the South Branch, Kansas City, Kan., Public Library.
