On Her Birthday

This little cutie was born ninety-nine years ago today. My mom was the second of three daughters. In my mind, she was the prettiest and nicest of the girls and absolutely the best mother in the world.

Like her, I was the second born, except my older sibling was a brother. Unfortunately, I wasn't as cute as she had been.

"No one worries about you like your mother, and when she is gone, your world seems unsafe; things that happen, unwieldly. You cannot turn to her anymore, and it changes your life forever. There is no one on earth who knew you from the day you were born; who knew why you cried, or when you'd had enough food; who knew exactly what to say when you were hurting; and who encouraged you to grow a good heart. When that layer goes, whatever of your childhood goes with her. Memories are very different and cannot soothe you the same way her touch did."

Happy Birthday, Mom. I love you.

(Quote is from Adriana Trigiani's book, Big Stone Gap.)