The most exciting formal education I experienced took place from 1994 to 1997 at what was then the Traditional Acupuncture Institute (TAI). I know that probably sounds very boring on a music page, but the poetry, spirit and philosophy associated with point selection is unbelievably beautiful and useful. In addition, Five Element acupuncturists are trained in numerous observational skills that involve the various senses that most of us take for granted. That being said, graduation from school and starting a private healing practice took place the year we celebrated my mom's 75th birthday. I couldn't afford to buy much of a gift, but wanted to acknowledge how important she was (and is) to me. This song was the result. Mama ("Barry"), who was born in Mexico and was one of the first airline hostesses for PanAm Mexico, moved to the U.S. when she married an American navigator during WWII.l She spoke 6 languages, traveled the world throughout her 91 years, regularly fed and entertained a huge extended family, managed a nuclear laundry for 30 years, maintained a beautiful garden, walked 4 miles a day until she was in her mid 80s, and much, much more.... Mama let go of her earthly attachments in June 2013 at the age of 91. Her spirit definitely pops in supportively at important moments.

You Are the World to Me (In memory of Mama) by Cathy Benedetto Well I've got these eyes that see And I've got these ears that hear And I've got a nose that knows Much more than you ever might believe And even if I lost Every one of my senses I'd still have sense to recognize I'd still have sense to realize Yeah, I'd still have sense To recognize you You are the world to me Well it's more than I can hold In the palms of hands And it's more than I can bear On these weary worldly shoulders And more than I can write And it's more than I can speak And it's more than I can sing But I'll sing it anyway I did not know I'd need you so Every step of the way You taught me how to live and learn And work and love and pray And even if I lost everything that I won And even if I could not do The things that I have done And even if I die With no glory to my name I know you'll be right there for me Ready my soul to claim Well it's more than I can hold In the palms of hands And it's more than I can bear On these weary worldly shoulders And it's more than I can write And it's more than I can speak And it's more than I can sing But I'll sing it anyway You are the world to me You are the world to me You are my eyes, my ears, my knows You are so much than you'll ever know Yes You are the world to me