1958 at six years old. Still wearing silky dressesNothing can top what I just posted from my Mom. It is so much fun to look back at all the good, funny, and touching events of one's life. We all know, of course, that sprinkled throughout our lifetime there are also many sad, painful, traumatic and difficult situations. But isn't it great that it is the good things that stand out most? The loving and fun things that we reminisce over again and again? In my lifetime, like yours, there has been much of both. And I'm sure the future holds the same. So on January 17, as I turn yet another year older, I want to share some of the things I really like about where I'm at in life right now:
- The kids are all grown up and on their own
- No pimples
- Grandchildren
- Rarely shave my legs
- I can get "alone" time when I want or need it
- No more monthly crampy, yucky stuff
- It no longer bothers me to be true to myself, when out of sync with others
- I am no longer tossed to and fro by the latest fad, thoughts, trends, or societal groanings
- Nothing scares me; no threat of a pandemic, an economic collapse, climate change, or political chaos
- I understand that "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul" (from Invictus)
- I am healthy, of good mind, and hopefully have many good years ahead of me.
These lyrics state so well how I feel on turning 58:
"And so here am I, open arms and ready to stand,
I've got the world in my hands,
And it feels like my turn to fly.
I am who I was born to be,
I am who I was born to be."
(Thanks to Susan Boyle's new album)
Hi Mom. Happy Birthday! I remember you listening to me after school everyday. All my troubles and pains. You were usually cooking and I was sitting on the other side of the counter watching you while crying my eyes out. Sometimes I still need my mommy. I love you.
ReplyDeleteSonia
This was sent to me by cousin Ralph Brown:
ReplyDeleteAudrey. You are number 31 out of 48 first cousins on the Peterson side. Since I am # 12, and since I am on the West Coast, I never got to know you until I retired and began to put the family together in my head by doing genealogy research. It has been an extreme pleasure to get to know you and your husband through the various family reunions we have both been able to attend. You have an extreme talent and I thoroughly enjoy your blogs, as it helps me know all of the Sinnesss family a lot more. I wish I had your talent when I put the Peterson/Westad/Lalum book together.
Enjoy your Birthday, Love from Cousin # 12, Ralph Brown
This was sent to me by Evie:
ReplyDeleteOne of my memories of my dearest youngest sister was when she came to visit at my apartment in Minot, ND when Annette was a baby. She took care of her as if she was a doll. I have a picture (somewhere) of her lying across the bed, probably after a diaper change, and she was enthralled with Annette because she was kicking and laughing for her.
Also, when she came to California to stay with me, she became addicted to Cheetos. So when she was going back and was going to be on the plane for a while, I bought her a big bag of Cheetos to take with her.
Since you like to post memories of your brothers and sisters on their birthday, I asked people to post their memories of you. Grandma's "blog" was part of that effort, thanks Jeri for helping with that!
ReplyDeleteSince you're my mom, I have lots of memories, and it's hard to pick out any one thing. You were always just an omnipresence in my life, the structure of security and support. I always admired you for your strength and self-discipline.
One of my earliest memories is of taking naps with you on that ugly (but supremely comfortable) orange couch. Sometimes, you'd take naps there while we played. I suppose it was necessary to get rid of that old orange sofa eventually, but I still miss that thing.
It's interesting that Sonia posted what she did, but I was intending to talk about something along those lines. My strongest memories of you are from those tumultuous teen years--you were going through your own problems, yet you had the time to listen to mine. I remember going for longs walks down West Point Road many, many times, just pouring my heart out over my trivial high school problems. You never lectured or gave advice; just listened. That was all I needed. Thanks for being there for me!
Out of all the people who are lucky enough to know you, Sonia, Rana, and I are the luckiest because you are our mom. Everyone should be so lucky.