I’m taking a break from my work to wish my sweet, lovely mom, Kay, a Happy Birthday! I started by searching the web for appropriate “mom/mothering” quotes. I came up empty. Oh, there are thousands on the Internet. Most of them are quite nice, inspiring even. Perfectly appropriate. Unfortunately, they just seemed…hollow. Not right. Then it occurred to me. “Duh! You’re a writer. Doing a ventriloquist act with someone else’s words is not good enough for your mother. Do it yourself.”
So here I am, feebly attempting to explain how wonderful she is in (almost) every way. I decided to add that ‘almost’ qualifier because no one is perfect. Not even my mom. That’s alright, because even her imperfection is inspiring. When I was growing up, her humanity empowered me. It still does. She’s stronger than she knows, more beautiful. She grew up at a time when suburban assimilation was expected; she raised me to be my weird, larger-than-life self. To revel in my uniqueness, because that uniqueness was my ticket to an interesting life.
She’s always been fun (and funny!) and open. She’s adventurous but won’t admit it, even when she’s in the middle of doing something totally awe-inspiring. She’s wickedly creative when it comes to this thing called life; always has been, always will be. She’s shy, like me, but passionate and vocal about her convictions (hmm, also like me). She gave me my love of reading and tea and art and half of the other important, beautiful things I hold so dear. My mom, this woman named Kay, has made it possible for me to look in the mirror and say, “I like who I am.” It’s true: I like who I am. But I love her. Mom, you are the best: the best parent, the best friend, the best role model I could ever hope for. You still inspire me. Happy Birthday!
Why, yes, it was the 1970s!
Also born on 25 April: Al Pacino, Ella Fitzgerald, Oliver Cromwell, Edward R. Murrow, Renee Zellweger, William J. Brennan, Jr., Edward II and Guglielmo Marconi (which is odd, because I was born on Tesla’s birthday).
A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea. 
This reminds me of my mom! Love her dearly… great post! Happy birthday to her!
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Aw, thanks!! 🙂
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This is music to any Mother’s ears. Beautiful!
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I hope she thinks so, too! I actually set out just to wish her a happy birthday. Could I stop there? Of course not, which is probably no surprise to you!
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OK. So how to answer such a loving, well-worded tribute from my beautiful and very talented daughter? It makes one pause. But all I can say is “Damn, I must be awesome!” To have someone you love wax so poetically about you says a lot- and I appreciate each and every word. It even brought a wee tear to my eye. So, thank you! Now, the picture I could have done without – although you look especially ornery in that one. I think at this point in our lives, we now inspire each other. I hope my backpacking in Europe (with purple & grey hair no less!) shows that you can be adventurous and independent at any age. And you carving out your own future in the small press world shows me that passion and talent can take you wherever you want to go.
Love you!
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You ARE awesome, duh! Although I cannot say that I looked long and hard for it (as it was the first one I came across), I have always loved that photo. I stand by my assessment that I have the best mom in the world. I’m incredibly honored that my amazing mom says that I inspire her now, too. You are the best. Love you back!
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What a wonderful tribute to your mom. Aren’t they the best? I’m glad you decided to put it in your own words because now I know both of you better.
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Thank you! My mom deserves every tribute I can give her, she’s truly the best!
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