No, this is not a critique of the movie out right now. Although, I hear everyone loves it so I have to make time to see it. It is a post about my mother. Today is her birthday. She would have been 72...still young in my opinion and it is 10 years older than her lifespan...sniff. That is a picture of her on the left taken when she was just shy of 20 years old and wasn't she a MAMA MIA! I always think of her every second of the day on her birthday and I try to honor her and bring her to life for my children, who never got to meet her. This year I chose to drive into Los Angeles - the city that always makes me feel closer to both of my parents. I first called my sister and talked on the phone with her (my mom treasured her two sisters Delia and Patty beyond belief and LOVED talking on the phone with them laughing the whole time). It was definitely the way to start the day. Besides, she always said that she wanted us to be close (especially when we fought as children) because one day we would not have her and we needed each other. After I hung up the phone, I thought that it would have brought her joy to know that we delivered on her wish. I proceeded to spend the day with my children and nephew because she always enjoyed any time she spent with her own children (my sister and I) and her nieces and nephews. This means I spent the day with all three of her grandchildren - something I have no doubt she would have loved to do. I also laughed out loud today. Anyone who knew my mom can understand that. She had the loudest laugh, and for those who love her - it is the best laugh in the world and we miss it. Although my laugh cannot hold a candle next to hers, it felt great! To cap off the day, Andrew (her one grandchild she did know and loved more than anything in the world) and I decided that it would be fitting to honor her by buying and eating a fresh strawberry pie from Marie Callenders. It was her all time favorite! Tonight we will sit around and eat that pie and think of and feel my sweet and hilarious mother (maybe as I watch the telenovela that I am currently hooked on, thanks to her exposing me to them). And if my husband makes me a cup of coffee to go with it, well then it will be perfect.
P.S. And yes, I wore big earrings today.
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5 comments:
Sniff...great post Sis! After our conversation this morning I felt so much better and decided to get my day going...It was such a nice day here in Santa Fe and I managed to get outside for a bit and enjoy the beautiful day. I laughed a lot and boy did that feel good...I couldn't help but think of Mom each time I laughed. Yum, strawberry pie!! How did Bella do with the pie?! (LOL). I love you Sis!
Oh Lee and Syl - I love your mom so much!! The things I remember most about your mom - the great advice that she would give, her "fears", sitting on her bed and talking for hours, her "chanclas", her immaculent Impala, but her wonderful laugh stands out the most. Gosh, we would spend hours talking, especially while eating pie and drinking coffee!! I consider her to be my 2nd mom and I laugh as I sit here because your parents always threatened to claim me as a dependent on their IRS. I am glad that you continue to carry on her wishes and I know how deeply proud she was of both of her girls and Andrew. You all are truly in my thoughts this evening.
Love you.
That was a beautiful tribute to your mom and the legacy she left. I'm sure you made her dance that day. You are a thoughtful, caring and loving daughter still!
I find myself identifying with Bibi and Missy in that I only know your mom through you, Andrew and Sylvia because I never had the opportunity to know her in person. But through your generosity I've been enormously blessed with a profound sense of knowing. Thank you for keeping her spirit alive!
P.S. I can't believe how much you look like your mother! It's rich!
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