A Mother’s Brain, Her Children’s Cells, and Chinese Food – December 5th, 2012 1:34am

Don’t like where I’m going with this one?  Think it’s something out of some sick Sci-Fi thriller starring Donald Sutherland alongside alien pods… with extra soy sauce?

Well, my little Food Network freak, you’re way off base.

Only Pro-Lifers need apply on this little nugget of bullion from Scientific American.

It just so happens that the little cluster of cells growing inside a mommy’s tummy isn’t just some inanimate nuisance that might get in the way of that long-desired promotion down at the plant.

Here.  Let me quote the article.  “The link between a mother and child is profound, and new research suggests a physical connection even deeper than anyone thought.”

Yup.  Apparently scientists have discovered children’s cells inhabiting mothers’ brains.  Body-snatching?  Nah.  Just natural science.  Just the mystery and beauty of life and creation, as only the Creator could design.

Awe-flippin’-some.

And it doesn’t stop there.  The folks in the ultra-white lab coats also believe that cellular transference through nursing may be occurring every time a babe takes to teat.  As if life-sustaining nutrients weren’t enough.

Like I said.  Un-freakin’-believable.  Or, something like that.

Crazy stuff… crazy…

Oh yeah!  The Chinese food reference.  Almost forgot.

So, I finish reading the article and immediately Paul Simon’s “Mother and Child Reunion” pops into my brain.  For yours truly, it’s always been one of those songs in which I expected to find some profound, hidden message extolling the relational beauty between mother and pre-born babe.  I mean, heck, one should expect to glean such depth from the lyrical majesty that is one half of arguably the greatest folk music duos of all-time.  Right?  Right?

EEEEHHHHH! (game-show buzzer sound)  Wrong.

Upon research, it was revealed to me that the germination of said ditty came from an experience at a Chinese restaurant.  Mr. Simon was digging on a chicken and eggs dish called “Mother and Child Reunion”.  He told Rolling Stone in 1972, “Oh, I love that title. I gotta use that one.”

That’s it.  I’m not kidding.  No underlying theme connecting mommies to their burgeoning bumps, with a reggae back-beat.

“And the course of a lifetime runs… over and over again.”

Lyrical gold… wasted, on a bed of fried rice.