Writing

Birthdays are for Winners Like My Mother

It is my mother’s birthday today.
It’s a milestone one.
I’m sure she wouldn’t like me telling you her age, but here is a hint- she was three years old when she had me.

I was not able to make it home for my mother’s birthday. She lives in New York and I live in Texas.

This fact tore me up.

I took off the weekend just in case I was going to be able to magically fly home, but I didn’t magically do anything this weekend. Instead I moped around the house and contemplated human existence, listened to Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life” on loop, and shed a tiny tear every time the song “As” came on.

Considering I wasn’t able to make it home, I’d like to take this time to wish my amazing mother a wonderful birthday.

Will you please help me in wishing my mom a Happy 30th?

—————————

You did everything right, but sometimes doing right just doesn’t guarantee you anything.

Aren’t you the one to always tells me that?

“You can’t be afraid to live life out of fear of getting hurt.”

And boy, did you get hurt.

But being the resilient woman you are, you took on the challenge of being a single mother like a pro and you gave me the best childhood anyone could ask for. So good in fact, that I don’t think I’ve quite gotten over it.

We’ve had some great times, haven’t we?

You and me against the world.

Thank you for being my number one fan, the first person I can call when the wonderful and the terrible happens. Thank you for always believing in me when I did not; when you’d create whole scraps books to remind me of how much I’ve accomplished. Thank you for telling me when I’m being a boob, even when I don’t like hearing it.

I’m so thankful to be like you- Jewish guilt trippin’ and all (I will say that I tried fighting that one tooth and nail).

My only fear Mom is that you haven’t done everything that you’ve wanted to do.

Let’s change that, huh?

No more playing safe.

It’s time now.




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23 Comments

  • Reply Emily August 23, 2010 at 6:54 pm

    Happy Birthday Lauren's mum!

  • Reply ryan August 23, 2010 at 6:59 pm

    Happy b-day purdy layday… you've got a peach of a daughter

  • Reply Claire August 23, 2010 at 7:01 pm

    you look so much like your mom!

  • Reply One Blonde Girl August 23, 2010 at 7:11 pm

    Happy Birthday!

  • Reply Higgipedia August 23, 2010 at 7:19 pm

    Thank you to the Crow for bringing me the Thackeray quote "Mother is the word for God on the lips and hearts of children." A day doesn't go by where I don't think of my mother (1955-2005). Much like yours, she struck out on her own with a child in tow (me) and we were closer and better for it.

    So, I certainly understand and appreciate your post. Happy birthday to your mom!

  • Reply Christina In Wonderland August 23, 2010 at 7:25 pm

    Happy birthday!!!!!!! Hope it turned out to be an excellent one.

  • Reply Sophie Neutron August 23, 2010 at 7:39 pm

    How sweet are you…mums are great!!!

    Happy Birthday Hipstermomma!
    Judging by the pictures; you don't have much trouble finding a reason to smile. Even so, I hope your birthday is filled with a gazillion trillion and ¾ more reasons.

    My favourite reason to smile on birthdays is wearing stupid, cheap, hats and getting away with it…not that I don't wear them anyway

  • Reply Christine Macdonald August 23, 2010 at 7:57 pm

    What a beautiful post. You know, just the fact you wanted to go be w/ her sometimes makes all the difference. Happy Birthday mom. You've got one helluva daughter.

    PS: That 1st pic looks like Waikiki…

  • Reply Tiff August 23, 2010 at 8:04 pm

    What a great post! Your mother is beautiful. I hope she's having an amazingly awesome day (and week, and month, and year).

    – Tiff

  • Reply Mr. Punchy August 23, 2010 at 8:05 pm

    Happy B-day —

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNcloTmvTeA

  • Reply Benny August 23, 2010 at 9:31 pm

    Happy 30th, Lauren's mom!

  • Reply theTsaritsa August 23, 2010 at 9:46 pm

    A very happy 30th to your Ma!

  • Reply KeLLy aNN August 23, 2010 at 10:11 pm

    Happy Birthday!

  • Reply laurenne August 23, 2010 at 10:43 pm

    Your mom is adorable. And, yes, just like mine! I'm sending this to her right now.
    Thanks, lovebird!

    Stevie Wonder. nice.

  • Reply Trina August 23, 2010 at 11:23 pm

    Feliz Cumpleaños! Que mujer tan bella! 😀

  • Reply Esmerelda August 23, 2010 at 11:50 pm

    Your mom is fierce. Happy Birthday!

  • Reply TabithaVenasse August 24, 2010 at 1:37 am

    Happy Birthday Lauren's mom!!!!

    Lauren, your mom is GORGEOUS!

  • Reply Hannah Miet August 24, 2010 at 1:52 am

    Beautiful, Lauren.

    I love when you write about your family.

  • Reply Randall August 24, 2010 at 2:57 am

    She's a beautiful lady, and lucky to have a daughter who cares so much. I'm not a picture person, honestly, but I deeply enjoy seeing pictures like this, and coupled with what you've written… well, it's just all wonderful.

    Thank you for sharing all this.

  • Reply Big Mark 243 August 24, 2010 at 3:03 am

    Happy birthday to a lovely and resilient woman!! And a shout to the wonderful daughter that she shared with the world as well!

  • Reply StrangeBird August 24, 2010 at 10:17 am

    Happy Birthday to a special Mum 🙂

  • Reply Hipstercrite August 24, 2010 at 1:29 pm

    Thanks everyone for the b-day wishes! My Momma had a great birthday, so she says. I know she's lying because it would have been a lot better if I was there. 😉

  • Reply Brenda August 26, 2010 at 5:40 pm

    Thanks to all for your b-day wishes. This birthday reminded me of how blessed I am and I do have the BEST daughter. Lauren, you and I will celebrate in September. O and P

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