My siblings and I all responded with such enthusiastic joy at such a great idea that we each decided to come up with our own birthday party plans.
My sister said that she had been talking with her children and they're going to have a birthday party dinner as well. They're going to make a dish that my father used to make for the family many, many years ago. It's a spaghetti and meatball dinner with another secret family recipe for the meatballs. There is going to be a family gathering for that at her house.
My twin brother said he was going to cut a bouquet of flowers from his yard and take them down to the Capitola wharf (the wharf that we could see from the beach house window). He's going to scatter those flowers in the bay the way Roger and I have done for so many, many years. He's going to shout out a Happy Birthday to her, and a loving hello to my dad whose ashes are there.
Roger and I are going to celebrate by making my mom's favorite breakfast food, a batch of almond maple granola. I used to make a double batch all the time and send her half. It was how she started every morning in her assisted living facility, and here as well when she lived with us. We shipped granola to her so often, the local shipping place knew us when we walked in the door.
We shared emails about our plans. It was so wonderful, so full of love.
My phone rang after all the emails. It was one of my brothers. He said, "I was just meditating, and I sensed that mom came for a visit with me. She told me that she wants you to send me half of that granola."
We laughed and laughed.
Our mother will always be such a deeply loved mom.
This is our cyberspace birthday card!
Happy birthday, mom, wherever you are in the universe!
Happy 94th Birthday to your mom! There is so much love and joy in this post. I picture your mom dancing with your dad.
ReplyDeleteam-- Oh wow, you have such a great memory. My parents LOVED to dance. Than you for that.
DeleteNice way to remember your mum
ReplyDeleteBilly-- It really has been a lovely day of remembrance.
DeleteYour mom was a lucky woman, and you were lucky children. I love the idea of the birthday parties. And your brother's comment about the granola made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteSharon-- I love the idea of birthday celebrations too. I'm glad you laughed. I'm still laughing about it.
DeleteWhat an upbeat way to celebrate your family's love!!!
ReplyDeleteBarbara-- Yes, family love!
DeleteWe certainly remember our parents birthdays after they are gone. Your family has a unique way to remember your Mom. Keep the tradition going.
ReplyDeleteRed-- This is our first birthday celebration like this. I think it is going to be a tradition for sure.
DeleteI agree with Barbara, it's a great way to remember and celebrate the love you all felt.
ReplyDeleteMark-- It really is a great way to remember the love. My brother already sent photos of the flowers in the bay. So touching in every way.
DeleteThis is beautiful and touching. So glad you shared it.
ReplyDeleteLinda-- Thank you for that, so much appreciated.
DeleteWhat a wonderful way to remember your Mom. I laughed out loud at your clever brother's request.
ReplyDeletePatti-- It's a first time idea, and we loved it. Glad you laughed too!
DeleteGreat birthday celebrations!
ReplyDeleteCatalyst-- Maybe we'll be starting a tradition. I hope!
DeleteWhat a good idea - birthday celebrations for loved ones who have died. And I totally loved that little spooky touch - re: granola.
ReplyDeleteColette-- I hope people are inspired to celebrate their dearly departed loved ones like this. That would be so cool. Yes, spooky granola!
DeleteMy late mother’s 95th birthday would have been a couple of weeks ago in Sept. While my brother and I talked that day we didn’t plan any remembrance celebrations, but I liked reading what you and your family did. So next month, I am planning to cook a special meal for the my father’s anniversary.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice-- This remembrance celebration for my mom was a first, but we intend to carry on the tradition. My father's birthday is in December, and I already talked with my brother about how I'm celebrating. I'm so glad you are going to celebrate your father's day with a special meal. Wonderful!
DeleteWhat a marvelous way to bring everyone together in spirit to celebrate your mom's birthday. I love the idea and I'm sure she would as well.
ReplyDeleteNCmountainwoman-- We're going to keep this new tradition and celebrate our father's birthday as well. Our parents are dearly loved.
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