Happy Birthday Mommy!

I’m not a fan of people saying I am lucky or that they are lucky in life.

I have a great job because I earned it. I have a wonderful husband because we chose each other. My marriage is good because we work at it.

What I can say, is that I am lucky to have a fantastic mother. Some may argue that before I decided to be born to this earth I chose that too. Either way, I appreciate her very much.

My mom, the birthday girl!

 
My sister and I like to joke that she’s a martyr. But it’s true. I can always count on her. Since I’ve had kids, she has been my rock. She loves babies and children and she is always willing to help in any way she can. Whether it’s as a last minute babysitter, advice on breastfeeding or an extra set of hands to help with laundry, she is always willing and ready to help.

My mother leads by example. She is a great daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She is always thinking about how people will be affected by her actions and always sacrificing herself for the happiness of others – mostly her grandkids, my sister and I.

She hasn’t had an easy life. She became a widow at the young age of 37 – the age that I’m at now. She worked at a job that she hated for over 30 years so she could keep our house. She doesn’t always think of herself as a strong person, but she is the strongest person I know. I’m not sure that I could have done what she did. She lost her husband and her mother in the span of one year.

She never remarried — out of choice. I remember her being asked out on dates but she always said no. She was firm in the belief that she didn’t want to bring another man into our home. She wanted to raise her girls on her terms, and she didn’t need a man telling her how to do it. She did a great job raising my sister and I.

My mother is admirable and wise. She has strong family values and she is kind and loves whole-heartedly. She is patient and she is giving. I hope that I can be the mother and grandmother that she is.

I am lucky to have my mother.

Mommy and Me circa 1977.