I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  My weekend is about to begin and it will be quite special.  Besides the fact that my husband is coming home from a man week of hunting, we also get to celebrate my mother’s 80th birthday.  Oh did I say that? Uh huh…”it’s your birthday, it’s your birthday, we’re going to party like it’s your birthday”….

I may be in trouble now for publishing her age,  but I have to brag on my favorite 80 year old, and besides, 80 is the new 60.  That is right. “I got a feeling that tonights gonna be a good night.”

My mom goes to the gym four times a week. Last year, she broke her hip, which landed her in rehab for a month.  After she broke got out, she started this workout routine.  Now, a year later, my mother looks like Wonder Woman.  She no longer needs her cane, and she looks radiant. I am so proud of her.

All my life, my mom has been my best friend, my biggest fan, my therapist and my personal chef.  If she had charged me for all the therapy, she would be a millionaire for sure.  I love my mom because when the rest of world won’t feel sorry for me, my mom will.  It doesn’t matter what the circumstances are, my mom will be sympathetic and nurturing and willing to put together some chicken noodle soup to make the world a better place. She is so much nicer than me too. My kids love going over to her house to get spoiled, especially when they have been in trouble. She conveniently lives a block away.

My mom has a great sense of humor.  It is fun to make her laugh.  She is always up for the challenge and I am skilled at talking her in to doing things, like taking this awkward family photo with me and my sisters in whimsical moment of laughter and fun. I can’t decide if she looks like she is having fun in this photo or putting up with us. Regardless, isn’t my mom cute? (I made her do this).

I love my mom.  I am so thankful this woman was born on October 31, 1930. She is a woman with wisdom and patience.  She is trustworthy and beautiful.  Sure, she was born on Halloween, the day of spooky ghosts and goblins, but my mom is more like a princess or a queen.

Thank you Mom for being who you are.  I can’t imagine this world without you!  I love you.