Thursday, February 21, 2013

An Open Letter to Mom on Her 87th Birthday

(Instructions for Mom: 
Click on the blue title in the email so you can read this online.  It is much more fun!)


Dear Ada Jane,
That chubby little girl you were holding when you were 30 years old -- 57 years ago -- your baby -- the one who is hiding behind the dimpled hand...she will always be grateful for your youthful, energetic, exuberant, smart, faithful, resourceful, clean, cheerful, positive, generous, loving, and God-fearing example of what a woman can do with her life.

(Don't pay any attention when she is a  teenager and says nasty things to you.  She will grow out of that stage, I promise.) 

Today you are eighty-seven!  Happy Birthday!   

Sometime soon, could you please carve a few hours out of your busy schedule, you know:  the mile-long walks, the paper route, the dog training, the computer teaching, and Bible study leading, the teaching of open-hearted 3rd graders at church, the managing of a household and garden...could you please save a few hours to tell your "little darling" the stories of your youth?

Oh, please say yes!

You see, I only know a few of your memories.

I know about the time you were late to school; I think you were about 5 or 6...were you playing with a kitten?  You told your teacher that you had, "run into a dear old friend."  Now that phrase sounds a lot like my grandmother.  Do you think she laughed when the teacher told her about your.... ahem.... 'excuse?' I need to hear more of this story of long ago, when children of this age could walk safely to school.

And your memories of walking home in your teens on wintry evenings, feeling warmed by the light your mother left for you in the window. Please tell me more about the house where you grew up and the people who lived there. 

I remember hearing about your "friend of 40 years," a term you coined that made me want one too.  What did you and she do together all those years? 

These things 
I simply MUST find out!

Will you write them, or shall I?



Oh, here's your birthday present.

You told us not to buy you anything because you have more stuff than you need and don't want more. But you liked this photograph, and so do I.  Since you are a computer wiz, I know you know how to save it to a file. I like the photo at the end of this post, even better.  

~Blessings from your 
"darling daughter."

P.S.  I think Downton Abby, season 3 is over now, but maybe we should also talk about a better time for me to call on Sundays. ;)

Other posts about my mom.
Because of Mom, I
Don't You Dare Leave This World Without Reading This

Watching rain, your last night at the cabin
I'm sharing this post today on 5 Minute Fridayas the topic just happened to be Moms
Pin It!

18 comments:

  1. Beautiful! The photos are awesome. Happy Birthday to your Mom :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. These stories must be told, cherished, and remembered! Great writing from a wonderful heart. Happy Birthday, Mom!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a precious post, my friend! It was beautiful to read this and know it came straight from your heart.

    Happy Birthday to your dear Mom :)

    Hugs,
    Stephanie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephanie,
      It is always a blessing to read your sweet comments. Thank you for taking the time to bless me in this way.

      Delete
  4. Thanks for letting us 'read over your shoulder'. This inspires me to say things left unsaid, so far. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am looking forward to reading yours, Linda. You know I am one of your biggest fans; as such, I hope to get a signed copy of that book you are planning to write. ;)

      Delete
  5. That was so sweet! I hope your Mom read it. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Coming here from FMF-
    What a beautiful present to your mother! Happy Birthday to her!
    :)
    Wasn't it fun to dedicate a post all to our moms?!
    God Bless!
    ~Cortney
    greaterplanblog.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cortney,
      Thanks for the kind comments. It is funny how timely this was. I wrote this days ago in preparation for her birthday today. And just discovered the FMF prompt. So, I didn't officially write it in 5. I am working through the other posts. How lovely they all are.
      ~Blessings
      Becky

      Delete
  7. Love the memories. I wish I would have been able to get more from my mother. There are so many things that remind us of those things in our lives that are most important. Love your pictures. Tell your mom Happy Birthday from me too!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Patricia,
      I loved yours too. As I mentioned on your blog post, the one of your mom singing as she ironed in her bathing suit is precious.

      Delete
  8. Oh yes, here is a link to some great questions to ask. I am currently trying to make sure that I answer all of them for my own children. http://ezinearticles.com/?Write-Your-Family-History---50-Questions-You-Must-Ask-Parents-Or-Grandparents-Before-They-Die&id=800937
    You can add questions as you go, but remember not to make them a yes or no answer. Hope you find the amazing stories that your mom has hidden in her mind. She sounds amazing to get to know.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What an amazing post. I loved sharing it with you. My mom died in 2011 from Alzheimers. I wish I could have shared something like this with her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Karen,
      I am looking forward to her answers to my many questions. Your mom was lovely, dancing and singing and bringing joy to people throughout her life!
      ~Blessings

      Delete
  10. Love your post about your mom. Love the fact that she is your friend and there are things you still want to know about her life. Love the last picture the best! Thanks for sharing about your special mom!

    In Christ...Susan

    ReplyDelete
  11. From MOM to me:
    " I had a great day: Exercise Class for 1/2 hour, then Maxine to Agility Class, then home to dicker around with my tax information, and while at it found something that had been lost and was very excited about that; Then fooled around with the dogs outside, took a shower, put on my Valentine's Day orchid corsage and we went to meet John and Leanna at the Olive Garden, where we split the cost of dinner: sort of - then we came home and John fixed my new telephone so we could hear the person on the other end, have a right time and date and show me how to put a message on, a loan of Downton Abby season 2 and and off to a good nights sleep..
    Lovely, simply lovely..."

    You see how busy she is? Getting her to sit for interviews is going to be a challenge, but I am determined! ;)

    ReplyDelete

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