Happy Birthday Mommy

Today is my Mom's 75th Birthday

She doesn't look a day over 65

Here is my 6 word sum up of my Mom

"Always there to hug the hurt"

My Mom raised 11 children (well my Dad helped)

We all turned out pretty well

A little crazy (me mostly)

Can you imagine finding the ability in yourself to give enough love to each child?

To make each child feel as if they are the most important thing at that moment?

To have enough love inside of you and to spread it so deep that it still glows in your children who are now parents themselves?

To gain the respect of your children even when discipline was necessary?

To still have love in abundance left over to give your grandchildren?

My Mom watched both of my children for me while I worked.

I credit their manners, empathy, respect and happiness on this fact.

I could never have raised Amber alone without her.

You've seen that teen Mom show on MTV

Without my Mom's guidance that probably would have been me.

19 years old and no clue what to do with a baby.

But she helped me

and she still helps me

She encourages me to be who I am

But still has no problem telling me when I am wrong

Or reminding me that I am not always right

......which I am still pretty sure she is wrong about

Truthfully and without hesitation I can say that looking back on my childhood

I have not one single bad memory

Yes there were bad days

mistakes were made

feelings hurt

love tested

But that is life

I know its like the thing to do

blame your mother for your problems

which I find insulting as a mother

I am sure for some that may be true

but for us......its just not

My Mom is not perfect

I am sure if you asked her she could ramble off a list a mile long 

filled with mistakes she thinks she made

as a mother

a wife

a daughter

a sister

a grandmother

a human

Its the fact that she knows she is not perfect that makes her so wonderful

My Mom and I have grown to be friends 

She was not one of those moms who tried to be my friend as a teenager

but when I got older and realized she actually at one time 

before being Mom

was Jennie May Andreoli

I was shocked

Kidding........but realizing that your mother had a life before you graced her with your existence is unimaginable for a selfish spoiled kid like me.

Once I learned about Jennie I saw the real woman behind the Mom

I found out why my Dad loved her so much

He worshipped her......I kid you not

Never before has a man loved a woman like Bill loved Jennie

We have traveled together

We have talked about books

She tried to teach me how to sew

unsuccessfully

She taught my sisters and I how to make home made ravioli

which we traditionally eat 

 every christmas since I can remember

its a secret recipe so I can't tell you

 but mmmmmmm they are delicious

I have been known to maybe be too comfortable around my Mom

the foulest of all swear words has left my lips in her presence....more then once

for this I am sorry

So I just want to say 

Happy Birthday to the worlds greatest 

F.....abulous

F......antastic

F......earless

F.......aithful

F......u.....n

Mom

Mom, Me and Judy sharing a toast on our last night in Italy