Merry Meet and Merry Part, and Merry Meet again

Thursday, October 13, 2011

A Special Birthday

My darling Mom turns 96 years old today. She lives in Virginia and I have not seen her in a while. We talk at least twice a week on the phone, even though she is hard of hearing. She always sounds cheerful and of course will never say if there is a problem! Mom maintains her great sense of humor, loves to reminisce about her childhood in Montreal, her young adult life there, and her subsequent move to Washington DC during World War II. That is where she met my father, married and had four children.

My mother taught me so many fantastic things when I was growing up. A gracious, gentle woman who spent her days tending to the home and kids, baking and cooking (an incredible cook), creative seamstress, artist, pianist, floral arranger; a true reveler in the home arts. I am so blessed to have such a sweet, dear lady for a mom.

We spent lots of summer times traveling up north to Canada, to the wild and rural woods of northern Quebec. Her family had a sort of "compound" of summer houses, all with charming French names. Her sister's place at the bottom of a steep hill, near the little lake. Her youngest sister owning the original family place at the top of the hill, a typical sloping roofed cottage, built almost 200 years ago. And my mom's little chalet across from that cottage in a wild blueberry patch, with apple trees and sugar maples.  Wonderful memories, wonderful family times with all the aunts and cousins. My mom was in her element there. She had to give up going there several years ago, her youngest sister is gone now, and her other sister has moved away to British Colombia. But happiness in the memories give her pleasure.

Nowadays, Mom spends her days in her cozy, sunny room at my brother's fine house in the Shenandoah Valley. Because she is partially deaf, mostly blind and infirmed by terrible knees, her mobility is limited and she can no longer sew, cook, read. Still, she keeps a positive view of life and always has something interesting to say, and is always keenly interested in what's going on with the family, her grandkids and even the dogs!

I love and adore my mother so much and am sending a million happy birthday wishes. I thank her for who I am, the woman I grew up to be. I hope to go down in November to see her. I can't wait to sit with her and chat and laugh and just be with her.

Happy Birthday to my wonderful Mom!!

My mom and me with family (my husband, kneeling)

18 comments:

Vivienne Moss said...

Happy Birthday to your beautiful Mom. Sending another million birthday wishes her way.

Blessings,V.

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Happy Birthday to your terrific Mom. How lovely that you have such a terrific role model and life guide. I hope she has a super day. It is my hubby's BD too. So it must be that all the truly sweet and kind are born on this day. Oma Linda

Robin Larkspur said...

Linda, Happy Birthday to your Sweet man!! Robin

mxtodis123 said...

Bless her. Sending birthday wishes her way. She's beautiful.
Mary

Danni said...

Happy Birthday to your wonderful, beautiful mother! Sending her a million and one birthday wishes. <3

Magic Love Crow said...

A Million Happy Birthday wishes from me too, to your wonderful mom! What a precious lady! Have a fantastic day! I didn't know you were part Canadian Robin? Big Hugs!

Robin Larkspur said...

Stacy, yep! Half French-Canadian!
Thanks for the birthday wishes for my mom!

Robin Larkspur said...

Thank you everyone for your lovely and kind comments! Hugs!

Aine O'Brien said...

96!!! Happy Birthday Robin's Mom!!! The Bard was born in Montreal and he loves to go back there to visit. Quebec natives are very drawn to their homes!

ArtSings1946 said...

Oh, what a wonderful mom you have. Happy birthday wishes to her. This post makes me miss my mom even more. You are so lucky to still have your mom and I'm sure you know that. My mom passed to summerland in '97, and it both seems like yesterday and so long ago. I am not afraid of passing as I know she will be and is there for me. But I so do miss her. Thanks for such a heartwarming post. Peace, Happiness and Abundance for ALL !

Julie said...

What a wonderful tribute to your mom. How lucky you are to have had her for so long. My mom died at only 66 years of age.

Lady Caer Morganna said...

Many birthday wishes to your wonderful mom!!! She sounds a little like my father ~ always keeping a "chin up" and positive attitude no matter what! This is such a heart-felt tribute to your mother it warms my heart!

Blessings to both you of today!!!

Kim

Jeanne said...

Happy Birthday to a wonderful Lady!
You are so fortunate to still have your Mom around. Your Love for each other is so evident in this post. ♥

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Happy birthday to your Mom and may she enjoy continued good health and happiness. I visited Montreal and la belle province about 30 years ago and loved every second of it. Montreal is truly one of the world's great cities as far as I'm concerned.

Julie said...

PS - Robin, come by my blog and read the comments on the post about fairy doors. Two people left you advice for having one without having large trees.

Ponderosa Pagan said...

Happy birthday to your mother! May the goddess and god shine on her today and everyday! May her walk on this Earth be peaceful and enjoyable!
Blessed be

Anonymous said...

Sending a huge happy birthday wish to your beautiful mother! You are so blessed to have her. She sounds like an incredible woman. Blessings to you both, sweet Robin.

SharleneT said...

Happy Birthday to your Mom. I know you're proud of her and, likewise, she must be very proud of you -- you have learned your lessons, well! Now, jump in the car and go visit!