Mom's Birthday

 Mom would have been 85 today!

Maybe because it's her birthday or because I'm getting older but she has been on my mind a lot recently.

I was talking to one of my students who has two young children, I was asking how they are entertained when the parents are busy. He told me about a cartoon that his oldest son loves watch.  I told him how my Mom entertained me when she was cooking and it was raining and I couldn't play outside. 

The house that we lived in had large french windows, looking out over the back garden. In front of the windows was concrete, when it rained 3 puddles would form. As the rain fell it would make ripples in the puddles, Mom told me that the ripples were fairies dancing and if I was quiet and looked hard enough I would be able to see them. I can remember sitting there for ages, Mom asking every now and then if I could see them yet!  I was about 4 years old at that time but I still remember the rain and the quiet time looking for fairies! Maybe that is why I still like the rain.

Another memory from that time was when my Dad hurt his back!  I remember Mom rubbing this ointment in Dad's back. I can still see Dad hanging onto the kitchen sink, Mom rubbing this smelly stuff in, and Dad making a lot of noise. I couldn't figure out why Dad was shouting so much as there was no cut. As a child I equated pain with cuts and scratches!

I don't have any photos from that time. I don't know if any exist! I have one photo of Mom when she was very young.

Young Mom

The ones I like are from the last visit, a year before she died. She had chance to spend time with her grandkids, I hope she felt some joy from that!

Mom and Hannah

Mom watching the boys play

with Christopher

Happy Birthday, Mom.