Today is my mom's 68th birthday...ask me anything

[ikojo]

Yep, my mamma is 68 years young today.

I must give my mom props...it wasn't easy for her raising seven kids on her own with little support from my "father" (I put father in quotes because he was basically a sperm donor. After the divorce he had little to do with us and did not send my mom child support on a regular basis.)

I don't know how she did it and continues to have a pretty good disposition. She has been through a lot the last few years. In 2000 she had a heart attack and was in the hospital for almost a week. It was hard for me to see her hooked up to the heart machines the night she had her heart attack.

In 2001 my youngest brother killed himself. In October 2001 she broke her hip and leg when she slipped down a trail in Arizona. She has recovered quite nicely from that. She was in the hospital/rehab for two and a half months. She now uses a cane only if she is shopping because of the floors. Other than that I don't think she uses it all that much, although she keeps one with her just in case.

2002 wasn't much better for my mamma. In May 2002 my oldest brother died of a heart attack. A few months later in August 2002 her husband of 21.5 years died and she found him after she got home from work. Oy vey!!!

With all of those very recent tragedies one would think my mom would be a bitter and sad woman. But she is not. She reminds me so much of my grandma it is amazing. My grandma was always the optimist, always seeing the good and not the bad.

So, this is for my mom....I wish I had a tenth of her survivalist spirit and optimistic attitude!

You go mom and thank you!

[Bucky]

1. OK, here's my question

How often do you call her?

And here's my answer: Not nearly enough, partner. Go bake that lady a cake, dagnabbit!

[ikojo]

2. I e mail her regularly, at least every other

day. I send her anti Bush articles. Although she is a lifelong FDR Dem, she is a bit naive when it comes to the press. She pretty much believes what NBC et. al tell her.

I call her about twice a month. We used to talk via IM more but no longer do so. I don't think she has her IM on much because my nephew Corey (14), her grandson, will IM her and ask goofy questions. She doesn't have much patience for that.

[RebelOne]

3. Your mom has been through a lot and she sounds like one tough lady.

Wish her happy birthday from me. In fact, I'm not far from her age, but have not had her problems, health-wise, that is. I know that optimism is what keeps us going. I found you just can't continue to grieve over some tragedies in life. Despite everything, your own life must go on.

[Spirochete]

4. Happy Birthday, ikojo's mom

I hope your mother has a wonderful birthday, and a great Christmas. She truly deserves both, and a lot more. Gutsy woman. She's really been through a lot - you all have.


That makes me think of my mom, and how much I still miss her.
My "father" ditched me too, when I was 4, and I was raised by my mother. And I had an older brother that died.


Wishing your family all the best.

[ikojo]

5. Thank you for the kind words

about my mama!

She is a tough lady, that's for sure.

Thanks, also, for sharing a bit of your story. I am so sorry your mom is no longer here in physical form. I believe she is still looking over you, though and is near.