Happy Birthday Mom 2012!!

This morning before I left for work I called my mom. 

 “Helllooo?” an incoherent and sleeping birthday girl responds.
          “HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!” with my typical Lisa, enthusiastic and ready-to-conquer-the-world tone, that is too joyful for my wonderful Mom on her day.
“Thank you.”
          “Sorry to wake you but some of us do have to work. Have a great day!”
“Okay, you too.”

A short, sweet, and concise conversation with my mom right…I don’t think so. On the surface it appears as such but as I made the short drive to work I realized the blessing I had overlooked. First and foremost I am able to pick up the phone and talk to my Mom whenever I want, 24/7. And better yet, she wants to talk to me and I look forward to my visits with her.

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If someone would have asked me twenty years ago my Mom would be one of my best friends and my go-to-girl, I would have shaken my head and laughed. Don’t get me wrong, my parents have always been there for me. Sometimes their parenting style, rules, and consequences were a bit much but I ALWAYS knew they loved me. They had an open-door policy to freely ask any question, share any secret, and call on them in the wee hours of the night if we needed them. Yet, even at twenty I didn’t view my Mom as a friend but maybe that is because I was still in the need of a little correction and discipline (not that it’s changed too much, lol).

Since Heidi’s disappearance a bond has formed between my mother and I. We probably would have become friends in my adult/mother years yet I believe the loss experienced has heightened our commitment to share and trust each other. Each day my parents invest in my life, my husband’s and our daughter – their beloved granddaughter. I talk to my parents EVERY day. I see them at least once every day and if I don’t, I pick up the phone and check-in and catch up.

What do I give my Mom on her birthday to express how important, special, and wonderful she is? How do I express with a material gift the extent of her wisdom, time, and generosity in my life? Sure she would love a Kindle gift card so she can keep reading BUT that is only temporary. I could make her a chocolate cake with Jodi’s homemade peanut butter frosting but that would only tighten the waistline of her favorite outfit.

How do I express my gratitude, love, and appreciation for Mom on her birthday? The gift I would love for her to receive has no price tag yet its value is eternal. I’m thankful for the opportunity to say “Hi Mom, I love you.” I’m thankful she loves me too. I’m thankful for each moment I have with her and my Dad. Life is a gift…

Happy Birthday Day Mom! It might not be cake or a Kindle card but I give you all the love, appreciation, thanks, and hope one girl can share with her Momma…

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Photograph Descriptions:
1st – Mom, me and Mag’s in 2002
2nd – Mom and Mags at the North Pole, 2002
3rd – Mom and I early 70’s before Heidi was a twinkle
4th – Mom and Mags – a photo illustration of a Mom/Grammy who walks by our side no matter where we might travel. Thank you!