The Birthday celebrations continue...

For someone who usually shys away from and cringes when the word 'birthday' is mentioned, it's been one heck of a celebration.

I enjoy parties, celebrating, remembering special occasions, and any reason to acknowledge a friend or family member...

I AM the party planner--one day will add that description to my long list of 'things I've done.'

However, my history with birthdays has not had a great track record causing me to be cautious.

It seemed the only person who really ever pulled it together for me was Mom.

Way back when she waved her magic wand and some how managed to get a bunch of my 'heroes,' the Cleveland Indians, to send me 'sweet 16' birthday cards from all over the world including one from Rookie of the Year Joe Charboneau and from Bo Diaz (rest in peace) who lived in Venezuela! No one and nothing will ever top that magical birthday!

Then when I got older and people started wrapping my birthday gifts in Christmas wrapping or giving me one gift for both, she initiated my 'half birthday' celebration in June!

Though I believe every day should be lived like it was the last, for some unknown reason, I cherish and count every minute of this 24-hour birth anniversary. My effort to make each second special on this particular day intensifies.

This year I forged ahead into this annual commemoration and 'uncharted waters' with an open mind knowing in my heart of hearts that though Mom was not physically here, she would orchestrate one heck of a birthday remembrance on my part.

And she has not let me down.

At the stroke of midnight on my birthday, one of Mom's favorite movies came on...no brainer--we had to watch it which turned into an all-night movie marathon!

I treated myself to a delicious slice of Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake while the cocktails freely flowed!

I found 3 beautiful ankle bracelets which Mom had squirrelled away for me.....they matched the lovely ring I bought for MYSELF on my birthday.

I have to tell you, I did not have plans for 'birthday proper.' My family had taken me out to dinner the weekend before.

My only obligation was singing at Church and I was going to make up the rest.

I received some pretty memorable cards including one from a dear friend in FLA.

I baked cookies all afternoon.....I truly felt Mom's presence as I acted as if I knew what I was doing. Even more amazing, the cookies came out just like Mom's!

I popped into my cousin Roseann's Christmas open house....had good food and great hospitality and then did whatever I wanted to do.

Some more of the same: good food, freely flowing drinks, terrific holiday movies and more much needed house work completed. Mom always hated when the newspapers piled up. Well, I'm sure she was cringing from above because not only were they piling up from the last few months but they were smack dab in the middle of the living room with no rhyme, no reason.

Cross that off of my to-do list and now I'm sure I am back in Mom's good graces!


All in all, the 24-hour holiday proper was tremendous.


But wait, there's more!


My choir sang at the Cathedral and actually made the late news! After church, one of MY all-time favorite movies came on fa-la-la-la Lifetime. Heaven!

The cleaning and decorating continued. Though there is still an insurmountable task ahead in the coming days, weeks, and months, some headway was made.


The festivities continued into the new week.


I was long overdue for a haircut. When I went to pay the bill, I found my stylist, Kelly, gave me a complimentary cut in honor of my birthday!


I believe that the only way the last few weeks could have happened without a hitch and with such merriment and joy is, once again, because of Mom--her unconditional love for me (and all of us), her wish for her children and grandchildren's happiness, and her feisty lingering spirit which will NEVER abandon us!