French la Vie

Today is my mother’s 90th birthday.

Her house will be filled with loved ones. Family and friends near and far—we gather. There won’t be silence. The joy will be evident—because she has been a woman who has given in so many ways. From her cooking, her jokes, her card playing, her volunteering. Being a mother. A homemaker. Dancer. Cheerleader. A positive force. The jokester. A gardener. The good one. She weaves it all together so beautifully.

We grew up in a house where meals were always there for us. Clean clothes. Perfect garden. Costumes and cakes. And my mother—who taught us how to be good people. That takes effort. Takes time. Takes energy. She did it all.

Keep on eatin’ candy, and goodies. That’s what you said was the secret to your long life. And God knows how much you’ve eaten it.

I cannot believe I do not have a photo of my parents. I really wanted a photo of my dad in this collection. Also, some of her with her friends and hundreds of nieces and nephews… and I am not exaggerating when I say hundreds. I hope someone sends me photos of her big day ❤️

Oh, this mother of mine—how lucky I have been. Through the ups and downs, you’ve been by my side, steering me toward goodness. I have learned so much from you, and even more now.

If you know my mom, you know she’s witty—and quick with the one-liners. She never misses a trick. It’s something that’s always amazed me about her, because I don’t have that. It’s truly a gift. She has so many of them, they’re practically falling out of her pockets.

And then there’s your faith- your daily rosary. Your prayer for so many people. Constant thought for others and how you can help them.

People will be hugging and kissing her and wishing her a happy birthday—and that makes me smile. She deserves all that love, as she has given plenty in her 90 years.

Mother of five, grandmother (Va) to fourteen, and great grandmother (Valinga) to three.

My mom was the youngest of seven.

Certainly, your angel is flying high today.

A long, beautiful life, Mom—you have lived it well. And I wish the days and many years ahead to be filled with the same enthusiasm, good health, surrounded by love, and crazy laughs.