Mom reads poem, Mother’s Day 2016
On May 8, 2016, Mother’s Day, Ned’s mom reads, from her published book, a poem she wrote to her own mother. The poem is in Croatian. After mom reads it, she repeats it in English, translating as she reads each line.
What a wonderful experience for Mother’s Day. When I pointed out to mom that it was I, as the first-born child, who “made her a mother, not my brother, Nick,” mom replied, “Yes, but he made me a grandmother and you didn’t do that.”
Here is the poem that mom read:
O Majko Moja (Oh, Mother of Mine)
O majko moja, ja sam grana tvoja.
Ti si mi dala život, ti si mi dala ljubav.
O majko moja, ja sam grana tvoja.
Ti si me dojila sa mljekom tvojim, i nježno gladila lice moje sa rukom tvojom.
O majko moja, ja sam grana tvoja.
Ti si mi dala odgoj i usadila u srce moje – svetu vjeru i čversti stroj.
Cjeli moj život je grana tvoja, kaja će me povest sve do moga groba.
Hvala ti majko moja, za ljubav tvoju, koju si učverstila u dušu moju.
Ja sam majko grana tvoja.
Frances Buratovich
December 28, 2004
In this video clip:
- Frances Buratovich
- Ned Buratovich
This video was first posted to Facebook on May 9, 2016. It garnered over a hundred appreciative comments in the first day or so. The entire comment thread from that post has been reprinted here:
- Shelly Freitas Arnerich MorganWonderful stuff, Ned!May 10, 2016, 12:48 AM
- Mark DuncanDamn…isn’t it great to come from such strong linage ? 👏👏May 10, 2016, 12:54 AM
- Ned BuratovichIt sure it, Mr. Mark Duncan. I know how deeply important family has always been for us.May 10, 2016, 2:02 AM
- Terica Ehrhorn KaluzaThat was such a pleasure and joy to watch! Your mom looks great. Thank you so much for sharing. Just loved it!!May 10, 2016, 1:07 AM
- Jim LedwickYou are one lucky guy to have your mother still. Very sweet Nedski. She does not look 94.May 10, 2016, 1:09 AM
- Petra ZhukovaAwesome videoMay 10, 2016, 1:20 AM
- Rasha FodaLovely Mother’s Day tribute! Lovely mom! And very beautiful poem!May 10, 2016, 1:21 AM
- Lew CampbellDearest Frances ❤️May 10, 2016, 1:22 AM
- Veralynne Bosko PepperBeautiful, Ned! You’re very fortunate to have your mom.May 10, 2016, 1:26 AM
- Ned BuratovichYes, I know that, Veralynne, quite fortunate.May 10, 2016, 2:14 AM
- Suzy ArnhartOh Ned, I would love to meet your mom! You are a wonderful son and capable of fine poetry as well.May 10, 2016, 1:30 AM
- Ned BuratovichI wonder if you met her at our high school graduation? I think that was the only time she came to O’Dowd… other than for the occasional disciplinary meetings, especially around the senior boys bus trip.May 10, 2016, 2:17 AM
- JimmyMac ChelseaLovely poem, lovely lady… ❤️May 10, 2016, 1:52 AM
- Patty MooreVery professionally videoed . What a treasure ❤️May 10, 2016, 1:53 AM
- Frank ForencichThat’s beautiful manMay 10, 2016, 1:56 AM
- Ned BuratovichThank you, Frank, I know you remember her from way back when, like in the ’60s.May 10, 2016, 2:19 AM
- Jeana KimWhat a blessing to have mom like her! She’s amazing! 💓May 10, 2016, 2:10 AM
- Mindy ChelnerSuch a beautiful video….you have a Beautiful Mother and she is just amazing at almost 95…..well # 1 Son….even though you did not make grandchildren…she and you are so blessed. The love and affection you have brought tears to my eyes…..I know it was a very special Mother’s Day…wishing you many more! ❤️May 10, 2016, 2:13 AM
- Ned BuratovichThank you, Mindy, I know how important family is to you too.May 10, 2016, 2:21 AM
- Wind HughesNed……that is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing!May 10, 2016, 2:31 AM
- Ned BuratovichThank you, Wind, it’s genuine, with a lot of heart.May 10, 2016, 2:33 AM
- Leslie LongBeautiful ♡May 10, 2016, 2:36 AM
- Barbara Frates BuckleyNed, this is wonderful! I’ve loved the videos you’ve made of your mom. She’s beautiful and talented–a cook and a poet!May 10, 2016, 2:44 AM
- Ned BuratovichThanks, Barb, I told mom that she good such a good reaction on Facebook, that now we have to make more videos. 🙂May 10, 2016, 2:45 AM
- Lesley PulaskiSO really nice to see you both healthy and smiling…just like on the Southwest flight I met you on; I still have her book! Best to you both! Lesley PulaskiMay 10, 2016, 2:46 AM
- Ned BuratovichWow, Lesley, yes, my mom was so friendly (and so were you) that you made a deep connection on a two hour flight. The poem mom read is on page 72 of her book. Take care.May 10, 2016, 2:59 AM
- Julianne JazNed, what a delight to see your mom, and hear her poetry! I’ve apparently missed other postings you’ve made of her, but I’ll not make that mistake again!May 10, 2016, 2:55 AM
- Sherian LeeThis is awesome!May 10, 2016, 3:21 AM
- Sherian LeeYes, take her to Hollywood!! NOW!May 10, 2016, 3:21 AM
- Constance GabrielLovely idea. Sweet Video ! ❤️May 10, 2016, 3:28 AM
- Keita NobiloJust showed Mum and she said she is so gorgeous!May 10, 2016, 3:29 AM
- Valentina Janjuš PlitvicaWow✍🏽, love the color and calmity of her voice when reading Croatian, I can feel longing 💜. She is so bright at 95, It’s unbelievable, reminds me of my great grandma who died at 93. My great great grandpa died at 107 when I started school. Those people had some healthy mentality and life views (čvrsti stroj) yet free spirits🤔How old was she when she came from Croatia? Was she from Brač, as I recall?May 10, 2016, 3:30 AM
- Ned BuratovichMom was 18 years old when came to this country. She came from the island of Korčula.May 10, 2016, 3:31 AM
- Valentina Janjuš PlitvicaNed Buratovich imagine, taking her to Korčula; when was she there last?May 10, 2016, 4:14 AM
- Ned BuratovichShe visited three years ago. The last time I was there was 2008. Mom wants to go again this year. We’ll see. To je u Božjim rukama.May 10, 2016, 4:20 AM
- Valentina Janjuš PlitvicaWell, you might not believe, because I’ve been almost everywhere, but I’ve never been to Korčula, except sailing near by maybe. Dat’ će Bog!May 10, 2016, 4:24 AM
- Carrie DeBehnkeSo wonderful to hear Croatian again. Reminds me so much of my grandfather!May 10, 2016, 3:36 AM
- Ned BuratovichThat’s right, you told me.May 10, 2016, 3:50 AM
- Aubrey Terra BurkeThank you so much Ned for sharing this very special video of your sweet Mom with us, so beautiful!!May 10, 2016, 3:54 AM
- Cathy Adamo CampbellSo beautiful Ned!!May 10, 2016, 4:26 AM
- Adrijana GranatirHappy Mothers day to teta Frana! Hope you guys come and visit us soon!May 10, 2016, 5:57 AM
- Alexi SageThis is such a sweet video and your mom is so cute! Ned I grew up with you and I miss you, it’s been too long since we’ve seen you!May 10, 2016, 6:16 AM
- Nelly NovogradskyWow! Thank you, Ned! It’s so moving.. You are so wonderful! The poem’s in in Bulgarian language, isn’t it? It’s very close to Ukrainian – I understood almost every word 🙂May 10, 2016, 7:02 AM
- MsRosie RodriguezThat was the sweetest !! Hi Ned!! Good to see you too… wow!! I loved your Mom, she’s awesome! ❤️ Great idea to make a video. xoxoMay 10, 2016, 7:35 AM
- Magda MaverWell done!Congrats!May 10, 2016, 9:11 AM
- Margo Grace WeinschenkerSo beautiful, Ned.What a wonderful mom.What a tender relationship.Thank you so much for sharing.May 10, 2016, 9:31 AM
- Melanie Renee KimballLovelyMay 10, 2016, 10:46 AM
- Melanie Renee KimballYou are a wonderful manMay 10, 2016, 10:47 AM
- Luky LjubicSo beautiful….. Greetings from Croatian Aunt PericaMay 10, 2016, 10:54 AM
- Susan KingBeautiful…. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️May 10, 2016, 12:48 PM
- Gary ScaranoThat is amazing Ned! You are a good son.May 10, 2016, 1:26 PM
- Lori PhillipsThat’s fabulous Ned, thanks for sharing.May 10, 2016, 1:33 PM
- Jackie Sponsler KochNedders, your lovely and gifted Mom! And it’s so good to actually see you “in animation!” ❤️May 10, 2016, 1:55 PM
- Michelle LawWhat a sweet lady! You’re a good son to her, I can see. 😁May 10, 2016, 2:15 PM
- Kelli A CoxLove you both…..xoMay 10, 2016, 2:40 PM
- Mary C. Bandellbeautiful..May 10, 2016, 3:08 PM
- Anne BlanchardThis brought tears to my eyes Ned. Wow. The poem about your grandmother and the exchange between your mother and you demonstrate how love, beauty, and healthfulness are transmitted. Beautiful.May 10, 2016, 3:18 PM
- Desiree GunnYoungNed..That was beautiful. Your mom is awesome. It is a blessing that she is still with you and still a vibrant woman. Love you and God Bless you both.May 10, 2016, 4:04 PM
- Lisa Garfinkel Alfandaryso sweet thanks for sharing with usMay 10, 2016, 5:43 PM
- Claudia SelkThat was sweet.May 11, 2016, 1:18 AM
- Laurie M PennisiMay 12, 2016, 12:13 AM
- Lydia KattThank your Mom for me for sharing her poem. I just loved the very end of the video. Mom is Hollywood ready!May 12, 2016, 6:13 AM
- Huma ZiaMom ever sweet mom . I am very glad you still have a beautiful and sweet loving momMay 12, 2016, 5:23 PM
- Dawn Story BurkeThat was very precious Ned !! Thanks for sharing ! I’m so glad you still have your Sweet Mom and I know you treasure her ! ❤️ 🙂May 13, 2016, 6:49 PM
- Marie StringfellowYour very lucky to still have your beautiful mother ❤️Jul 7, 2016, 8:09 AM
- Ned BuratovichThank you, Marie, we are celebrating her 95th birthday this month.Jul 7, 2016, 1:50 PM
- Cathy MoonThat is so beautiful … brought tears to my eyes…. what a beautiful lady …… and an ace of a son 😇😇😇😇❤❤❤Jul 7, 2016, 2:55 PM
- Ned BuratovichThank you, Cathy.Jul 7, 2016, 3:19 PM
- Aida DumenigoCathy said it best….I second her words!Jul 8, 2016, 3:40 AM
- Terica Ehrhorn KaluzaJust love this! Ned, I have been meaning to ask if you know whether or not your mama knows my birth mama?Jul 7, 2016, 5:18 PM
- Ned BuratovichI will ask her, Terica.Jul 7, 2016, 5:21 PM
- Terica Ehrhorn KaluzaNed Buratovich thank you!Jul 7, 2016, 5:23 PM
Happy Mothers Day! That was amazing,Ned! Your mom looks great, please say Hi to her!
I told her. She smiled and was happy that you liked her poem, especially since you are able to understand it in Croatian. We miss you, since you moved far away.
Frances, I love your poems.
It’s 2020 and this video was made in 2016, So I am a little late saying Happy Mother’s Day.
If I am not wrong, I became your goddaughter and you my godmother around 2015.
You are my Mom; you have treated me and given me love more than my own Mom
I love you.