Apr 04 2006
Mom’s Birthday
Today would have been my mother’s 74th birthday. I guess it still is; she’s just not here to see it. It’s her first birthday since she lost the good fight in August, so it’s natural to be thinking of her a little more than usual.
Instead of thinking of her ravaged by cancer and pain, I like to think of her as she is here, a lovely young woman. She’s standing outside her parents’ house, a big, white Victorian near Rochester, New York. I believe it was built by the sheriff at the time as a wedding gift for his daughter. The sheriff’s house is right next door, and was built by the same architect. I remember seeing his initials carved into a roofbeam in my grandparents’ attic (a wondrous place with stained glass windows and trunks full of ballgowns and old books – I was equally entranced by both).
In this picture, Mom is holding my older sister Beth, who is a pink and white confection of baby-ness. I can see why my father “felt quite sorry for me”, as he put it, when I came along, being considerably less attractive. However, my babyhood ugliness (I like to think I’ve outgrown most of it) did not deter my parents from forging bravely ahead and having two more children after me.
Mom is about 30 in this picture, but to me, she looks much younger: almost like a teenage girl who is taking care of a friend’s baby. She looks so happy, as if she didn’t have a care in the world. I hope she doesn’t have any now, and that she knows her children are thinking of her, today and always.
[Update: My sister Megan tells me that she showed this picture and post to all the staff at the hospital who took care of Mom. They were so happy to see her healthy and happy. And to all of my readers: thank you for your support and caring. Special thanks to JS of 12 Frogs].
7 Responses to “Mom’s Birthday”
Lovely post.
Happy Birthday, Mom. At least, she’s no longer in pain and suffering like her last b-day. The house looks FABULOUS!
I find it hard to believe that you are less attractive than anybody!
I agree – a lovely thoughtful post and a beautiful picture. (Your grandparents’ attic sounds like a dream)
We never stop missing them. But it is a kindness to remember the life rather than the death.
What a nice picture. And a nice memory!
Thank you for writing this post.
What a great photo!
I’ve always thought it strange that your parents would actually tell you that you weren’t an attractive baby. I was a horrifically ugly (and bald!) baby, and neither of my parents would ever, ever admit it. I’d be mad if they did. 😉