Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever. ~Unknown

October is a month filled with birthdays in my family.  I have two nieces, two grand-nieces, a dear departed sister-in-law and father-in-law, two significant others of family members, my daughter, and myself who all celebrate October birthdays – a fall frenzy.

Last week, another little soul joined the party.  My third grandchild, Isabella Marie, came into this world on October 19th.  She shares a birthday with one of my nieces, and one of my grand-nieces, and we now have a trifecta in our immediate family.  Isabella on the 19th, me on the 20th, my daughter, Angela on the 21st.  What a wonderful birthday present I received this year!

When I left the hospital on Wednesday night after seeing Isabella for the first time, I had an overwhelming urge to visit my own mother.  I knew exactly what I was going to do!  

I left school exactly at 3:15 on Thursday and headed to Yum Yum donuts.  I picked up two pumpkin donuts on the way over to the assisted living facility that my mom now calls home. I knew that she would not remember that it was my birthday, but that didn’t matter.  We were going to celebrate anyway.  

Mom was surprised to see me as she always is these days.  I told her about Isabella and showed her pictures of our newest sweetheart.  She asked me to tell her over again, and again, and again.  So I did. She wanted so much to grasp exactly what I was saying. She apologized for not remembering my birthday.  It didn’t matter.  I laughed when she told me that she thought I was 39!  I haven’t seen 39 in quite awhile.

When I saw the love between my son and daughter-in-law and their two daughters, I was reminded of just how strong a mother’s love is.  Mothers have to be strong to give life, to nurture life, to let life go its own way.

Thanks Mom, for giving me life, for nurturing me through life, for letting my life go its own way.  

But most of all, thank you for showing me how to celebrate life everyday!