It’s my birthday, Mom, and you’re not here. It’s a really BIG birthday, a milestone birthday, and I wish you were here to celebrate it with me.
Funny how at my big age, I still want my Mommy around to help me celebrate. You’d think I’d be ok on my own, but that’s not the case. You see, you never outgrow your Mom. No matter the age, you still long for your Mother.
I woke up today, and my first thought was of my Mom. She gave birth to me, this is HER day too.
My Mom left this earth before my last milestone birthday- and now I’ve reached another and she’s not here. I’m not gonna sugarcoat it, I miss her. But I know, if it was up to her, she’d still be here. And in many ways, she is.
Sometimes I catch a glimpse of her, in my mirror, staring back at me. Every time I speak to someone in Spanish, she’s with me. When I order food at a Mexican restaurant, I remember her cooking my favorite meals. When I use one of her “special words” while talking to my Prima, she’s there. (My Mom had her own little made-up words and sayings) She’s present in so many of the things I do, and way I live my life.
If she were here, I know exactly what her gift to me would’ve been. She always sent me a birthday card filled with money, a dollar for every year. That envelope would be busting at the seams this time around!
This year, my Mom showed up in a photo I took. That’s what made me want to write this piece. I looked at the picture closely last night, and there it was. On the calendar in the background, I saw the number “29” … that was HER birthday. So you see, even though she’s not physically here with me for this big milestone birthday, I know she’s here.
Thank you, Mom. I love and miss you, today and every day. Te quiero mucho!
Happy Birthday to me! Thank you God, for the gift of life and for allowing me to see another year. I pray You will continue to bless, guide, and protect me.
