Birthday Wishes For My Mom...

If there are things that I wish for my mom this year on her special day, is to be in good health, and to always make each waking moment worth living...no matter the challenges that come. I wish for her to live more. To live each day as if it was her last. To relish every piece of happiness that comes her way, and to always be happy. To always make each minute count when time is spent with her friends, and family. To never take anything for granted. To always remember the good, and the bad. To learn from the past, and live in the present. To love, and forgive. And when she wakes up each day, it is my hope that she will take a long, good look in the mirror, and say to herself, "Today is going to be great, because I am awesome, and I love this life. I love my life." 

The love I have for you mom is inexplicable, and know that you will always hold a special place in my heart. You are a survivor, and have taught me so much in how to live this life. Through the good times, and the worst of times. Your example has given me such deep appreciation for all that you were given in order to raise me the best you can. You've taught me to be the best mom I can be, and for that I will always be grateful. You've shown me how it is to survive, to be tough, and kind at the same time. I know you probably won't read this until Lynn shows it to you, but I wish you the happiest of birthdays! You deserve every good thing that comes to you on this day, and all the days of your life. Stay strong, and know that you are loved from afar! We may not ring each other every day, but please know that we are always thinking of you. And the times that we talk to you are always flowery, and enjoyable. Chelsea's face lights up when y'all are in a conversation. She's such a little adult when she talks to you, and I love the relationship y'all have with each other. It's super special! 

Have a wonderful day, month, and year, and hope to see you soon! 

Happy Birthday momma...Love you always, and forever! 

**Photo is an oldie from 1996. Sierra was about 15 months old. 

happy 70th to my mama.

^^ my mother at the age of 14 ^^

If my mother knew I was posting this photo of her I honestly don't know what she'd think. I'd hope she would laugh & say, "oh my goodness I was so little with a big smile, and curly hair!" Now you can see where I inherited my teeth & curly q's from.

Still...I couldn't let this day go by without wishing my mother a happy birthday! Today this beautiful lady turns the big "70"! It's hard to believe she's that age. Good genes obviously run in the family & at the age of 70 she is still in good health, has great hair, exercises, & wears a size 6 in which I hope to be at her age! She's looks good for her age (and knows it) & sadly lives too far away from us to join in and celebrate this wonderful milestone in her life. 

In spite of everything we've been through in our life as mother & daughter I will forever be grateful to her as to how she raised me. 

I'll always remember the good times I had with her when I turned elementary age when it was just the three of us. Roller skating with my sister on the sidewalks of the Pentecostal church across the street while she would stand & watch. Cutting my afro outside in the sunshine, and seeing the bushiness of my curls fly away into the air. Digging in the dirt while she planted chili peppers, observing her very carefully as she would wash clothes on the old washboard, & helping her hang clothes outside on the clothesline. 

I'll always remember that one Christmas where somehow at the age of six I'll always remember it being one of the happiest times in my life. I think of the times we spent at Dick Kleberg Park & eating mexican food at various Rays restaurants in Corpus Christi. I think of shopping with her at Bealls, Dillards & a little boutique called Charle Verde in Kingsville. While I was in my late teens I think of the time she took a trip to Florida (without me), but came back bearing gifts. And at the age of 20, I think of the time she barely made it to my baptism.

Those are the good memories I had with her & the ones that I'll always cherish. Reflecting on the good times that this woman made with me are the ones I want to keep. It's too bad that I don't have a lot of pictures of us together when I was little. I know she took a lot of Polaroids back in the day. Maybe they're tucked away somewhere without my knowledge. Luckily I have a few pictures of her with my kids so that they can see that they have a grandmother that no matter the distance loves them deeply. 

She was born in one of the most loveable months of the year & that makes me happy! Even though we are miles apart I try to call her every week just to utter these three words to her...I. Love. You. She may not know how much I express my love to her online especially since she's so super old school, and doesn't own a computer. She hardly texts, and that's okay. I prefer to hear her voice. Maybe it's a good thing she doesn't know half the stuff I have written on this blog, but one day she will. Eventually this will all be printed in the form of a memoir according to Rose Jorgensen, but for now she will continue to get phone calls, and snail mail. She would say to me that is the best form of communication, and I would have to agree with her.

Happy Birthday to a mother who has been through so much in her life, and who was willing to give me life. Thank you for having me, but especially for keeping me! 

I love you to the moon, and all the way back down to the dirt I used to dig into. 

Happy Birthday mommy! 

a simple birthday.

My birthday this year was low key...very low key. There were no extravagant trips taken on this day, no eating out at a five star restaurant. Just simplicity and love with a lot of cake and sweets to fill my home until Halloween! Having taken Ceyda to explore my corner of the world for the past few days was fun, and exhausting at the same time that I decided to keep it simple on my birthday.  

It was just me, three of my children, Jon, and my dear friend Ceyda from Utah who has been visiting me since last week. It was a very special day being that I spent it with family- minus Sierra. She did call to wish me a happy birthday though, and posted the sweetest sentiment on my facebook wall yesterday. Hearing her voice always makes me smile, and then when I hung up I silently cried for awhile. I sure do miss her presence. 

Jon decided to make this yen and yang cake for me and I had no idea how it turned out until it was time for me to blow out the candles. It was tasty, and we all had more than one piece. 

These kids are the greatest, and they all hovered around me to sing me the birthday song. Jon was our photographer, and even vined six seconds of my little posse singing.

I can't believe another year has come and gone. At my age, and having these kids growing up as fast as they do makes the years pass even faster. Makes me a little sad sometimes, but it sure is fun watching them grow up, and seeing them change. 

I am looking forward to what 42 has in store for me, and I hope that it's going to be a great year! 

Happy Birthday Mom!

"The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness."   ~Honore de Balzac

Today my mom turns sixty...something. (Don't worry mom, I won't type your age.) I spoke to her earlier this morning to wish her a happy birthday. Like most people, I would write sixty........something things that best describe my mom but for now...I'll just describe a few.