Happy Birthday, Mom

My mother would've been 83 today. We lost her almost 10 years ago to ALS, and I still miss her. She was funny and sweet and kind, and looked far younger than her years despite having 7 children (ACK, can you imagine?) Her name was Louise, and she loved collecting beautiful things like delicate old china and vintage jewelry.

My mom and I were always pretty close, maybe since I was the last one at home with her for a few years. (I was the baby of the family, the unplanned footnote, I'm sure.) :-) We didn't have a lot growing up, but she always managed to make sure we had nice holidays even if she had to skim grocery money all year to make sure we had enough presents. Christmas was magical, and Easter was new dresses, ribbons in our hair, and a picture in the yard with our Easter basket. Thanksgiving was a big dinner eaten on special china with her elderly Uncle Vic, who was the closest our family came to a grandfather.

She wasn't perfect, my mom, but who is? To me, she was a great mom, and I wish I could tell her Happy Birthday again. But instead I'll take flowers to her grave, and I'll remember.