Happy Birthday to my Mom today! I looked back at blog posts from years ago on Mom's birthday to see what I posted about back then. I didn't want to repeat the "same old, same old"...oops, Mom I'm not saying you are old! I feel so blessed to have my Mom with us and to have her in good health. I hesitate to write that because last year on her birthday I wrote about her amazing hands in my life, only to have her take a fall while cleaning her deck and break both wrists! So let's just say all's well today and it was great to call and tell her how much we love her and hope her day is special. I asked her the question she always asks me on my birthday: "Do you feel any older today?" Now, when you're young it's a question you laugh at and say "no"! She usually says "no" also...except today she said "Yes, I do today". My usually cheerful and upbeat Mommo had to make a hard decision today. In Illinois where she lives
you have to take your driving test every 2 years after a certain age. After her fall last year she hasn't driven at all. Her grip on the wheel would not be very good and her eyesight has not been great in her one eye after a corneal transplant a few years ago. She decided that it would not be safe to continue to drive. In the Chicago area, I have to agree....in any area it would not be safe. We have many accidents out here where older citizens continue to drive past the safe time to do so. I applaud her decision but I also understand her feeling of the loss of independence. She told me how she remembers the first time she got her driver's license. It was after Dad had built our house and they moved from Chicago downtown to the wilderness of the suburbs. That was over 60yrs ago and it wasn't the huge bustling area it is now! Mom still lives in the same house Dad built.
She's a busy lady with her yard and all the family out there. I wish I could have been there this year to celebrate with her, but we're going out in a few weeks so I'll have to wait until then. I'll just close with some pics of this fabulous lady who has been a super Mom to me and my sibs and all the extended family. I do hope she'll enjoy this day. She's not one to let life get her down...so I know after a slice of her cake, she'll be back to smiling big!
That's the smile I love!
We usually end up in the grocery store any time I visit....parties are always the fashion at Mom's!
She's a trouper and good traveling companion...here with my Sis and me!
Last year we had a big gathering...one that we'll repeat in June.
I love this photo of Mom. She thinks she looks tired in it. I think she looks reflective. I know time moves forward and each of us, if we're lucky, will have to make decisions about lifestyle and those changes as we age. Mom has aged gracefully, busily, and we're looking forward to many more birthday celebrations with her. Happy Birthday Mom, you're my hero!
26 comments:
I remember your moms birthday last year .
You all look fabulous in royal blue 1
Tell her all of us at the farm wish her a good one :))
that "1" was suppose to be a " !" exclamation point lol
Wonderful wonderful, dear YaYa, and happy birthday to your dear mother! I vividly recall your post a year ago breaking the sad news that your mother had slipped and broken her wrists. I understand how reluctant she was to give up driving but I think she is doing the right thing at the right time - the responsible thing. Impaired vision combined with a lack of dexterity in her hands are valid reasons to avoid driving. You can imagine what it's like down here in Florida where senior citizens who are too proud to call it quits cause a disproportionate number of traffic accidents.
If your mother feels older this year, she certainly doesn't look it. She looks fresh as a daisy. 88 is still young. Just ask 102 year old Margaret Schneider. I agree that the last picture is a winner. Intelligence, wisdom and experience are reflected in those eyes.
Once again, happy birthday to your wonderful mother, dear YaYa, and may she enjoy many more to come!
What a nice post to your mom and smart enough to know when to give up driving I can say that must be hard to give up that independence.
Catyy
happy birthday lovely lady!
Happy Birthday to your lovely mother!
I know it is not easy to make the decision to give up driving, it is something that as Americans we have ingrained into us!
I very much remember your post from last year, and then, just after your mother's serious fall.
Hope all the happy wishes from your blogging friends will be seen by your Mom!
How lucky that your mom has as much independence as she does. My poor mom is 93 and has been in caregiving homes for 8 years.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your mom. She a wise lady to give up driving her car. Making that decision means that she now is resigning to let others help her.\All the best to her on her special day.
Hugs,
jB
Your mom looks so sweet! Happy Birthday to her! You are VERY lucky she has her health and had the presence to stop driving -- much better for everyone that way! Hope you have a nice visit!
First time visiting your blog (I think, LOL). Happy belated Birthday to your Mom! What a beautiful woman she is and I love the house built by your dad! I think she made such a great (but hard) decision to give up driving on her own; very responsible in my opinion. Hubby's father (now passed away) continued to drive until about 6 weeks before he died but he was very unsafe out there. Sons were afraid to talk to him about not driving; I prayed a lot for his safety and the safety of others while he was driving and that God would intervene so he would stop driving. Unfortunately, his health did take a turn for the worst and he couldn't physically drive any more (rheumatoid arthritis, couldn't turn the steering wheel) so he gave it up, which we were all very thankful about.
I hope you have your mom for many more years!
betty
Not sure if it's clean living or good genes, but your mom looks amazing for her age. Happy Birthday to her and hope your visit with her is wonderful.
Your mother was ten years old when I was born. She looks wonderful. I especially love her hair. I wonder why! :)
Happy Birthday to her ...and many more. I am trying hard to catch up with her.
Love and hugs,
Mona
You have her eyes, and her can-do attitude! With such beautiful mother, you have had a great start, kid.
You are so lucky to have a mom like this. She looks so smart!
Your Mom looks fabulous and healthy. Happy Birthday to her.
Happy Birthday to your Mom. She is a very graceful lady. I agree with you, your mom looks very thoughtful in the picture. God Bless her and make all her dreams come true. Amen.
Happy Birthday to your Momma.
Happy Birthday to your Mom! She looks amazing - look at her beautiful hair! Fantastic genes in your family! Enjoyed the photos.
Kay-- such a beautiful tribute to your dear Mom. She truly is a lovely lady-- I love all the photos. It must be so hard for her to give up driving-- bless her heart for making this hard choice--
I wish her a happy birthday and many more years of playing in her yard and being with your family--
Vicki
Your mother looks just beautiful! I have to say that as I've gotten older (along with my mom) I've been able to see her as more of a real person and appreciate who she is. I love that you have such a fun time getting together with yours!
It's great that your mom has recovered from her last birthday. She looks fabulous for 88. It's a hard thing to give up that independence that comes with a driver's license, but wonderful that she has family to help her out with getting around. I've only driven in Chicago a few times, and I'd gladly give that up in a heartbeat!
88 is a great birthday to celebrate. I hope she has as many more as she wants, she looks so good.
Happy birthday to your cute Mom! We are so lucky in our mothers.
My mom has given up driving, too. Her sight just isn't reliably sharp enough.
It was a hard thing to do, but she knew when it was time…
=)
Happy Birthday Mama Arends!! Kathy loves you to bits!!
Happy birthday to your mom! My mother in law is 84 and gave up her license last year. We were hoping my father in law would not pass his test but he flirted with the DMV lady and she corrected the one that made him fail lol.
Awww belated happy birthday to your lovely Mom. You have her beautiful eyes.
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