Mama Mia

I am writing something for someone who I know will never read it. My mother does not own a computer. Even if she did, it would soon gather dust and go unused. Today, however, is her birthday and I feel compelled to write her something of a tribute. It is late and forgive me my tired words.

• To the best of my knowledge, my Mother has never stopped believing in me.
• My Mother has always told me I was beautiful, even when I teased my hair and wore clothes from the set of "A Different World"
• My Mother is responsible for my very best cake recipe
• Although she was always older than most other mothers, my Mom understood when I needed to rebel through short skirts and strange hair colors
• My Mother always knew when to ask questions and when to play dumb
• When I brought my babies home from the hospital, my Mom left because she understood that I needed space to bond with my newborns - but she cleaned the house first
• My Mom never minded mud on my shoes, torn jeans from tree-climbing, or black eyes from line-drives. She just kept buying dresses until I felt like wearing one.
• My Mother always took my side
• Some of my most precious memories of my Mom are of things she said that once embarassed me like when she used to call me her "caboose baby" or when she would tell me that I'd always be her baby, even when I was grown up. Now I tell my children that all the time.
• My Mother gave me life and then supported me through all my phases while I learned how to live it.

You're the best - Happy 76!