Would you be so kind and wish my MOM a Happy Birthday

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

This kind of a post has very little to do with decorating or the kitchen table....or does it?

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Where there is a mother, there is home.

Where there is a mother, there is usually a kitchen table.

My mom is one of those kind of ladies who, if she lived when Susan B. Anthony was carrying signs for the women's suffrage movement, Mom would have been right there marching down the street.  I wouldn't call her a women's liber, but I would call her a

woman of movement!  

Mountains.  Yep, she's moved 'em.

Life has not always been easy for her.  But she makes the most of it. 

And still finds ways to give to others.

She perseveres.  She manages to enjoy simple things. 

A good movie.

A good read.

Her cup of tea.

This past Sunday she sat, sandwiched between my boys, in church.  As I looked over at her I thought that God had saved a little bit of perfection for her that day.  Her best friend and brother-in-law sitting with her, both whom she cares for in word and deed and her little grandsons and their sweet love for her.

MEMORIES:

A memory that always puts a smile on my face is being in the kitchen watching Mom and my grandma baking for Easter.  Dough everywhere.  Flour in air.  They would always pull off a hunk of dough for me to knead and prepare.  The aroma was heavenly!  It is forever embedded in my memory.  To this day, if I walk into a bakery I am instantly brought back to those moments!

Another memory that makes me roar out laughing is the time I was home from college and Mom and I were doing some grocery shopping.  A very long list of items to conquer....as always....Mom stocked our refrigerator and cupboards with TONS of food...no really, ask my friends.  They wanted to live in our kitchen!  LOL!

I took a look at the list and told Mom I'd go and shop for a bunch of items and then meet back up with her.

I walked away and then went around the aisle and walked up to her from behind, changed my voice, and started calling out her name like I was a long lost friend who was bumping into her after all these years.  I'll never forget the expressions on her face.  First, a huge smile as she was turning around to see who I was and then she grunted something out at me, her brow furrowed, and then she started laughing!!! 

(remember that, Mom??)

Another memory, that at the time I did NOT appreciate, but is definitely worth mentioning, was the music my parents chose for me to listen to.

OK.  I was a kid in the 70's.  James Taylor, Helen Reddy, Abba, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, John Denver, Jim Croce, Ann Murray.  You get the picture.

Well, my parents thought that was ROCK 'N ROLL.  

"There won't be any of that in this house!"

So at Christmas time I'd make my list of desired gifts.

Under the tree I'd spy a stack of albums wrapped.

I'd wonder for weeks which ones they bought.

Christmas morning my surprise was a lot bigger than I'd imagine.

Instead of Abba,

Loretta Lynn.

Instead of Jim Croce,

Roger Whittaker.

Instead of Elton John, 

Eddy Arnold.

My parents liked country western music.  I didn't.  But I learned to and then I began to LOVE it.  

While the adolescent couldn't appreciate these choices, the adult is EVER so grateful.  I have an appreciation for nearly all types of music because of this influence!!

There is so much more to mention about Mom.  Oh, the stories could fill a book.  But we don't want the paparazzi to follow us, so we'll just keep our little family secrets under wraps!

I love you, Mom!!!

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If you have a free moment

would you wish my Mom a happy day today?

It would make her smile BIG!

Thanks,