Something a bit different this week for R5F. Today would have been my mom’s birthday, so I thought I’d share five random thoughts about her.
1.) Mom was born April 17, 1910, the third oldest of 12 children in a poor, but loving, hard-working family. This is the only photo I’ve ever seen of her as a child. The girl in the middle in the dark dress was my Mom’s oldest sister, and my mom is to her right. This photo was taken prior to the births of the two youngest children. (My poor, poor grandmother….)
2.) My parents were married in 1929, she was 19, he was 30. A few years later, my two sisters were born 15 months apart. Then 15 years later, the family was surprised to learn that I was on the way.
3.) I recall Mom always struggling with her weight. So I was surprised (and pleased) to find this undated photo of her in a swimsuit. (Motor Man says, judging by the cars, it was probably in the 1930’s.) Mom’s on the left, and those are two of her sisters with her.
4.) My dad died when I was an infant, and Mom never remarried. When I became a teenager and had opportunities to go out with friends or on dates, she could have made me feel guilty for leaving her alone. But she never did. She would say: “I’ve lived my life, it’s time for you to live yours. Go whenever you have the chance.” What a gift that was that she gave me.
5.) May 5 will be the 20th anniversary of Mom’s death. We were blessed to have her in our lives until she was 85. Rarely a day goes by that I don’t recall one of her sayings or something she taught me or wish that I could ask her something.
Happy Birthday, Mom.
~These Days Of Mine~
these days of mine 