My mom passed over 20 years ago. She and dad were married for 45 years. I am the eldest of her six kids. Vernon, my brother, died at 6 months old. I have 3 brothers and a sister.

Mom's childhood in the ghetto of Baltimore was horrific, filled with rejection and pain. Her dad was shot and killed by accident while witnessing two men arguing in the street. Devastated, her mother became a drunkard, leaving Mom (10) and her sister (12) alone for weeks. The two girls literally searched garbage looking for food. They endured numerous horrors.

Mom said neighbors reported them to child protective services, who took the girls to live with a cousin. The first night, Mom overheard a hurtful conversation between the adults. She told her sister, “They don't want us and we are not staying.” They climbed out the window and went back home.

The way Mom told me about the incident painted a picture in my mind. She said they were afraid, hungry and alone. A knock came to the front door. It was Uncle Bus returning home from the military. I pictured the silhouette of the big uniformed black man filling the doorway, the sun shining over his broad shoulders. Mom said, Uncle Bus made everything right. He took care of them.

Mom's traumatic upbringing made her volatile and emotional with a great sense of empathy for others. As her first born, I sometimes wonder if I inherited a bit of her empathy. I feel for people, tearing up for them; a bit weird for a big strong guy.

Mom was such a romantic, handsome, strong good guy gets girl kind of lady. Bedtime for us kids was 9pm. But when my Baltimore firefighter dad worked the night shift, Mom would allow me stay up and watch movies with her. I always saw her shed a tear over the mushy parts. She loved all the standard love songs like, “It Had To Be You.”

In honor of my crazy wonderful mom, I will soon release a smooth jazz CD of me performing romantic standards that she loved. The CD will include a special tribute song I wrote for her.

Please enjoy this song I wrote appropriate for Mother's Day. My friend, conservative radio talk show host Andrea Shea King became pregnant at 15 years old. Despite pressure to abort, Andrea had the baby and put him up for adoption. Forty-three years later, Andrea received a phone call from her conservative son. My song is titled, “Hello Mom, It's Me.”

Listen here.

Enjoy and Happy Mother's Day.

God bless, Lloyd

Lloyd Marcus, The Unhyphenated American; Chairman: The Conservative Campaign Committee; LloydMarcus.com