I think one of my favorite things about Mother’s Day is the fact that it arrives in mid-May, when everything is greening, flowers are blooming, and Summer (my favorite season) is just around the corner. And, of course, it gives us a chance to celebrate our moms (be they birthing, adoptive, surrogate, or figurative). I’m happy to celebrate my own mom every day. At 90 years old, she’s still pretty spry — still lives on her own, still drives to the store and church and out for Bridge with friends — for which I am grateful.

In the spirit of celebrating our moms, I thought I’d share something I wrote on the occasion of my mom’s 80th birthday, a little over 10 years ago. Hope you enjoy:

Momeries

Today is my Mom’s 80th birthday. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around how that’s possible because she neither acts nor looks like an 80-year-old. I suppose in my mind’s eye, she’ll always be somewhere in her late 40s or early 50s — just as my 26-year-old nephew will somehow always be four.

The people we know and love longest — our family — take up residence not just in our hearts but also in our memories. It’s funny, the things that stand out when we look back on the times we’ve shared with them. I’m fortunate that most of my memories involving my Mom (and my entire family) are pleasant ones!

This past weekend, we celebrated Mom’s birthday with a luncheon at a winery. My siblings and I wanted to do something special to show our love and appreciation for her, so we each sat down and came up with several special memories to share. I thought I’d include my “Momeries” here in honor of her actual birthday:

I love you, Mom. Thank you for giving me a life filled with such happy memories.