Tuesday, January 26, 2010

A Birthaday

This is about a birthday that I will never forget. Shreve posted yesterday, on my blog, that it was my ninetieth birthday. And with that the whole world responded. There were birthday wishes from around the world. I am so overwhelmed! I appreciate the nearly one hundred people who took the time t wish me well. I will try to remain grounded, but I feel like flying. Thank you,Thank you.

I have spent a lot of time thinking about my Mother. So much time, in fact, that I am going to try to write her memoir. And in doing this I have become closer to her with sympathy for her fairly difficult life. Her story will begin with the birth of her Father in 1838. Her mother died in 1910 and I think it was a great loss for Mother. I will call her Blenda from now on. She had no middle name for she was either the youngest in the family, or next to the youngest, and they had run out of ideas for middle names for the last two.

I will have ideas for blogs for a long time to come. Any comments will be welcome. When I have said enough somewhere, and when you want to hear more, I will love hearing suggestions. I love comments. More later.

And again, Thank you.

12 comments:

Laura said...

Happy belated Birthday from St. Kitts, West Indies!

I look forward to hearing your mother's story.

Anonymous said...

Happy belated birthday from Philadelphia, PA! I look forward to reading Blenda's story!

Anonymous said...

I sent this note to one of my senior friends today. I thought you might enjoy reading it. Have fun!
It seems you have a birthday! Were you hoping I would forget?
I thought about forgetting, thus giving you the gift of time standing still...after all if your birthday is not recognized perhaps your aging stops until it is recognized, but I decided to forget would not do you, or anyone, justice. SO?...


HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Celebrating with you another year closer to getting that new no talk back body!

Barbara said...

I am glad that you are beginning to understand your mother - and so to forgive her, which can only bring increased peace to both of you - you, here, and she, wherever her spirit is now. I wish you inspired and satisfying writing!

Anonymous said...

forgiveness can be a slow realization of compassion after the fact...and grandmothers, mothers and daughters are inclined to examine their relationships more closely as they advance in years.
looking forward to any stories and wisdom you will graciously share with us this year.
i disagree...90 is not the new 60. i don't want the pressure at 60, 70, 80 or 90 to be anything but what i am.
belatedly, happiness on your birthday and always!

Maxly said...

Happy belated birthday from Texas.

I would like to read your mother's story--I hope you post installments.

weeder1 said...

A very happy belated birthday! I'm looking forward to reading all your new postings!

Hugs~

musingegret said...

What a wonderful and worthwhile project to embark upon for your 91st year! We'll all be here cheering you on and learning so much more. Bravo!

Della said...

You continue to inspire me. :)

Anonymous said...

I've been reading your blog ever since your granddaughter Shreve recommended it. I'm anxious to read more about your life - it sounds like it's been quite a ride! Tak so mit.

My great grandmother's name was Blenda too. I'd never heard of any other person with that name - my grandfather emigrated when he was 15. He never talked much about his life prior to coming here, but the few things I picked up indicated that it was a very harsh life for him and most of his siblings. Being poor farmers in Sweden in the late 1800's early 1900's was extremely grim.

Marie EFL

mss @ Zanthan Gardens said...

I've been reading your blog since you began it and I'm so glad you've shared your stories and are now deciding to explore your mother's life. I know how difficult your relationship with her was.

I wish my own mother, who is 81, would write down her stories. But for all of us whose mothers won't, you provide an insight and connection to a time we wouldn't otherwise know. If in doing so, you have explored your own feelings and begun to heal from your relationship with your own mother than that's wonderful too.

You live as a shining example that it is never too late.

Jodie said...

Happy Birthday!!! I can't believe you're a blogger at 90, but anything is possible. Shreve and you are both so great. I can see where she gets some of her independent spirit from. Hugs from Plano Texas!