No Strings Attached

Posted By Kathleen David on March 5, 2007

Today is my mother’s 70th Birthday. But you would never know that to look at her. I am fortunate that I have inherited the same genes since no one seems to believe that I am in my 40s.

My first memories of my mother are a bit of a jumble as all early thoughts are. I remember being in the laundry room in Baltimore. I can remember going to the playground with my mother and playing on the swings and I think I was terrified of the see-saw. I can remember my mother on crutches although I am still unclear as to why she was. I remember boo-boo kisses. My solid memory really starts at 4 when my parents brought home my brother Sean and the move to Boston shortly there after.

When we were sick my mother was our Florence Nightingale. Checking to make sure we were comfortable and helping us to get better. On the flip side, since she was a nurse we had to be really sick to get out of school. I can remember my friends deciding to take a “sick” day and getting to stay home but not me. I did learn how to tell the difference between being sick and really being sick. I can remember the look on her face when she came in to the theater after I fell off the scaffolding. I told her I was sorry not because I had fallen but I had promised her that I would be home to dinner on time for a change and I knew I probably wasn’t keeping that promise. She forgave me.

My mother has always liked spending time at the beach. My parents would pack us all up in the car and we would drive to St. Augustine for a week at a beach house. We were allowed one box for books and toys which made sense considering all the other stuff we had to bring. Those were great vacations and now I take Caroline to St. Augustine to spend a week at the beach with her grandparents. My mother loves to walk up and down the beach. I have lots of fond memories of conversations we have had over the years on those beaches.

She taught us a lot by example. We learned by watching her deal with others. And she showed infinite patients with some that I really thought (at the time) she should just tell off. And she was right in what she did. It took a while for the situation(s) to sort out but when they did, she was proven right and justice was done.

I know that I am very lucky that I can talk to my mother on just about any subject. We have a close relationship that I treasure very much.

She has also been a wonderful grandmother to Caroline. I can remember the look on my mother’s face when she first saw Caroline in my arms. Caroline was 3 days old. My parents came up at no little expense because I really wanted my Mommy now that I was a Mommy. She helped me get back on an even keel after the birth of my daughter.

I love you Mom. Happy Birthday! Have a great dinner tonight.

I am so grateful that my mother is my mother.

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