Only your mom can tell you the details about the day you were born -- only your mom can look into your eyes and still see the baby that was born to her howevermany years ago.  And that's what my mom did last night, on the eve of my birthday:  "It was dawn on a Sunday with snow on the ground when Daddy and I left for the hospital.  Your brother Mark told his Sunday school class that morning that I was having twins!"  (This is my brother who went on to become an actor. When he was around 10 and late for dinner one night, he told my parents he had been kidnapped and tied to a tree on the golf course -- my dad took Mark right back to the scene of the crime for my brother to show him where it all happened.  Of course, when they got to the tree, Mark burst into tears and said he had made it all up.) Mom continued, "We were SO excited when the doctor said, 'It's a Girl!'  We couldn't believe it!" I had 3 brothers at the time.  Three years later my brother Frank was born -- it was God just making sure I'd be teased for the rest of my life.  "And I can just see you now in your jumpy-seat!  You always used to fold your little hands together so we all thought you'd grow up to be a nun." (This is where I roll my eyes. Really Mom?  Not even close!)  I love hearing it, though.

My mom is my best friend, and she has always been a great example to me. I am incredibly proud of the life she's made for herself since my dad died suddenly in '88.  My parents were childhood sweethearts, and their marriage survived some incredibly difficult times. They married when they were very young, and loved each other until the night dad died.  Still now, at age 82, my mom walks on the treadmill almost every day, works part-time, volunteers at church, knits and tats, reads, stays up on current events, has oodles of lovely friends she plays bridge and poker with, and she's a mentor at Toastmasters.  Everyone who meets her marvels at how young she looks -- they can't believe she has 5 children, 13 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.  My mom is as honest, loving, and sincere as they come.  She exemplifies goodness. Mom's the best person I know.    

Last year when I got my breast cancer diagnosis,  I was very thankful to have my mom close by to help me.  It broke my heart that I had to put her through something so taxing, but I'll never forget the wonderful moment after I woke up from my surgery and saw her beautiful face beaming at me, so relieved that the news was good. 

Today, I am especially grateful to have another birthday -- and to have the world's best mom!