Happy Birthday Mom

Today would have been my mom's 73rd birthday.  We got together at Dad's apartment for a little birthday party.  We had sandwiches, chips, and cake.  We were there for each other as we sang Happy Birthday to someone who has passed on.
My mind drifted off to last year's birthday.  I took Mom out to buy her a new pair of shoes.  It was always difficult to find her a pair of shoes that didn't hurt her feet and it usually meant going to higher-end stores.  She never wanted me to spend that kind of money on her but I was honored to do so.  Heck, it's the least I could do after she and Dad scrimped and saved to raise 8 children.  I have those shoes in my closet now, there is just something comforting about them.
After the shopping trip, we met with my sisters and some of their daughters for lunch at Olive Garden.  Looking back, I remember thinking that I was too busy to go and spend an entire afternoon with family.  I'm so glad that I blew off whatever I had planned and just spent the time with Mom.  I think we all knew that it might be Mom's last birthday although we were hoping for a few more.

I'm sure the young woman in this picture never imagined that she would live the life that she lived.  She spent 53 years married to the same man.   Together, they had 9 children, one of which died shortly after birth.  She made many moves across the country as a military wife and had many trials which she bore with faith and love. I look at this picture and see a young woman ready to make a life for herself and have a family that she always longed for.  That same family gathered today, more than 50 years later, and celebrated her birthday without her.
Happy birthday Mom, I love you.