Happy Birthday, Mom!

You're going to have to indulge me a little bit, dear readers. Today I'm going to get schmaltzy about my most faithful blog reader, my Mom. 


Here's my Mom outside of The Pottery Barn Outlet. Note the look of extreme joy. People like to tease her for her love of buying furniture, but for her, it's about so much more than just having a nice couch or having the most organized cabinets and closets in America. She survived a childhood of abuse, neglect, poverty and orange shag carpeting, and went on to make a life for herself that's beautiful, both on the outside and the inside. 

And in case you thought I was kidding about those organized cabinets: 





Here is my Mom doing one of the things she does best, being a Grandma. I don't think Sofie and Tyler realize yet how lucky they are to have a Grandma who devotes so much time and energy and love to them. For now Sofie just knows that "Grandma has lot of fun toys and really yummy food at her house" and that Grandma's house is more fun than Disney World. But one day they will realize, just as I have, how lucky we all are to have been loved so well. 

Mom, 
There's no adequate way to thank you for giving me a childhood of happiness and stability and well coordinated furniture, for showing up for every important moment in my life, for teaching me always stand up for what's right even when it's not popular, for being a constant example of what it means to put family first, and for giving me the freedom to be myself no matter how weird of a kid I was (and I'm sure I don't need to remind you of how weird I was. Who could ever forget those 7 years where I was so obsessed with Laura Ingalls Wilder that I begged you to make me a pioneer costume for Halloween. Hmmm, how strange that there were no costumes you could buy for that. It's as if the children of America weren't all dying to dress up like pioneers for Halloween.) Since there's no way to ever truly thank someone for that, I will thank you in the best way I know how, by following your example of always putting family first and by always having a really well organized closet. I hope you have a great birthday!

P.S. - I'm sorry about those mouthy teenage years. . . and for that Amish phase I had when I was 11 that resulted in me inserting random, pointless facts about the Amish into every conversation we had. 

Comments

  1. Abuse? Neglect? Poverty? Fake news at its best!!!!!!

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    1. I'm not sure what your comment is supposed to mean.

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    2. Angie, I'm shocked people actually believes they can remain anonymous when creating accounts and posting on Blogger, a Google product! Google analytics also provides the truth.

      I know Alissa loves FDR, but this reminds me of Teddy's famous words, "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

      Keep writing and anyone willing to "dare greatly" and "join us in the arena" is welcome.

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    3. Of course! You're welcome Angie. I'm so glad you wrote such a heartwarming tribute to your mom. You know I love Sue, and I truly appreciate how much she cares about me and your friends. #SueGoals

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  2. Golly Angie, I think what you should definitely do is listen and give credence to someone who doesn't have the moral courage to post their "fake news" judgement under their own name. I know your mother personally, and I'm happy to attest -- in my real name -- to the strength of her character, her kindness, her beauty, her sense of humor, the joy and love she puts into her children, her grandchildren, her friends, and the world. Happy Birthday Sue. Thanks for being such a wonderful part of my life.

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  3. What a wonderful woman!!!

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