A Belated Birthday Wish (Jamie's Blog)

February 6, 2007.

I am not even quite sure when the last time I posted, I have had two sick children home for 4 days, a night out, woke up Sunday with fever and coughing up a spleen, two doctors appointments - and missed my mother's birthday yesterday.

Since I am still coughing so hard I almost pass out , I have been banished to work from home today. And, today IS the first day I am sitting upright - oh the joys of winter colds. Sadly, yesterday was my Mother's birthday and I did not get to see her, we did not get to go out for dinner and I did not get to post what I wanted to. So, even though it is belated - it is still heartfelt:

Dear Mom,

Happy Birthday...yes, this is belated, and I am sorry I did not get to see you yesterday. I was thinking I would do one of those cute rhyming poems you used to do when we were little - but it sounded totally lame and I scratched that idea. I wanted to take this time to tell you how much I really appreciate you and all that you do.

Thank you for always being there for my kids, for always watching them at a moment's notice
and never complaining...even when they mis-behave. Well, I would not know whether they were ever bad, apparently there is this "What happens at Nana's Stays at Nana's" mantra the kids are always mumbling when they come home.
Thank you for always being there for me whether I ask you to or not - you come and help me at home, at work, with the children, with family cooking disasters....you just show up and help me out. Many of my children's "over the top" birthday parties would not have been the success without the help from you....and yes I do promise to never, ever, ever do home-made snow cones again - I swear!
Thanks for always supporting me, no matter how crazy you might have thought my idea was. You never questioned I would not be a success, and when other parents may have not supported art as a career - you stood behind me and always supported my choices. I know there was that crazy few weeks at the end of college when I did um, think I might travel around the country as a representative for my sorority after graduating, and you did squash that pretty quickly - but other than that (and I deserved it) you have always been my biggest supporter.
Thanks for always taking my other child....no not Darin, my four legged little person covered with fur. I know she can be a bit much sometimes, and tends to mouth off and howl around dinner time....or uh, an hour before dinner time that is. Oh, and I realize she has been known to actually get back in bed after you made it, but I do appreciate you always taking care of her when we are away. She loves to go to Nana's house too.
Thanks for always being there for Darin and I - no matter what you are there for us. You have always helped us out, been there for us - and never complained. We are so lucky to have you and Dad live so close by - not so close that you show up every night un-announced for dinner - but close enough that you can be here if we need you.
Thanks for your sense of humor - and I am so glad I got it! You always know when to laugh at a situation, or when to um squirt us with the water while doing the dishes. Sometimes all we can do is laugh - and you always make us feel better. Of course it's better when we are laughing at someone else, and not you laughing at me - but still, the laughing is good.