A wonderful birthday present to me: my children (and some grandchildren and nieces and nephews) prepared and served the meal for my mom’s birthday party. (She’s 85, not me.) I wish I had pictures of my helpers and the food they prepared and served, and the boat-load of dishes they cleaned afterwards. Alas, I left the photography to Loved One. Oh my! The food was gorgeous. I was free to enjoy the company.
This is Mom. You’ve heard a lot about her over at my other blog, Once a Little Girl. Look at how vibrant she is. You can see her mental and physical energy right through the camera lens.
My goodness, it looks like she’s got a halo around her. Okay, that’s my “Aperture” effect. That said, I’m pretty sure she’s earned a halo after raising all these kids. (Sure, some of them are in-laws, but she’s taking care of them, too.)
Bonita, the physical therapist, checks out Mom’s feet because she thinks her shoes are too tight.
This is Mom with my big sister, Deanna. She’s the sister that tries to teach me about make-up (RE-Apply!) and fashion. Alas, I am a slooow learner. Isn’t she gorgeous?
Two of my three brothers: John and Loren. Frank lives in Texas, way too far to come for a weekend; besides he has sons in Boy-scouts. Frank and John are two of the Little Kids. Loren is smack in the middle, the pivot point, the first son, a namesake, neither a Big Kid nor a Little Kid. Loren is Loren.
The girls: Me, Bonita (hey, how is her hair still so dark, with only a few silver streaks? She’s only 18 months younger than me), Mom, Deanna, and Julie. Marcia and Vickie stayed home in Michigan, keeping the home fires burning. 
Putting our heads together: With all this brain power, we can do anything. Believe me, we’ve tried: Nurses, Salesmen, Teachers, Secretaries, Scientists, Engineers, Accountants, Interpreters, Writers, Electricians, Musicians, Chefs, Travelers, Mothers, Fathers, Sisters, Brothers, Grandmothers, Leaders, Mentors, Listeners, Healers, Counselors, Friends.
Long ago, Mom scolded me and two sisters for fighting. We were little girls, early elementary, or maybe even pre-school. We were not just fighting with each other; we took sides with friends against our sisters. Mom told us to hold hands and look at each other: One sister older, the other younger than me.
“Your brothers and sisters are the people you will know you whole life. These are the people you will share your history. These are the people you can depend on. Look at these people and cherish them.”
I do. All eight of them, along with the people they bring into the family, who may not share as much history, but by love alone, are dear.
I hope someday I am as wise as Mom.
Related articles
- Little Sisters, Big Hearts and Incredible Charity (4goodnews.wordpress.com)
- Thoughts on being a big sister, and then not being one. (greengeekgirl.com)
- This Mom Of Mine (gibsongirl247.wordpress.com)
- Photo Friday: Sisterhood of the Kittens (theblacktortoise.com)
