Tomorrow at 9:04 am, I will have spent 41 years here on earth.
It will also be the first time in 41 years that my phone won’t ring at exactly 9:04 am.
It was her thing.
Her way of celebrating me.
When I was little, she let me stay home on my birthday. If my Dad was home, we would leave like we were going to school but instead sneak off to breakfast, shopping and lunch.
I can remember her checking her watch, just waiting until 9:04 am for the celebration to begin.
She got so much joy from waiting until just the exact moment to wish me a happy birthday.
Once I was older and had moved away, I would get a phone call. Long detailed phone calls. I am sure if I had a recording of each year, they would be almost identical.
She loved to tell the story of my birth. About her water breaking and trying not to wake my Dad before she finally gave in and went to the hospital. Her doctor was from Italy and during my entire delivery, he sang Italian love songs.
Now that she is gone, there are so many questions that I wish I could ask. I never thought of the little details about my birth. I am sure my Dad could answer a few of them, but there is just something about the way a mother tells the story of your life.
But not this year.
This year starts the beginning of birthdays without her. Without our story.
And it’s harder than I was expecting.
This just made me cry. I lost my mom almost 7 months ago and I will be celebrating my birthday without her. It will be hard.
Oh Mel …. I’m sorry. Hug your little ones tighter today. It’s nice that you have such a memory. I cannot imagine your loss. Thank you for sharing. Happy Birthday.
Happy Birthday, Melanie! At 9:04 am, look for your mama. She’ll be there somewhere. I think there will probably be lots of those moments that you’ll miss about her. And I can’t even begin to imagine your heart ache. Sending hugs to you! Sounds like mom had a beautiful birth experience. Do you pass down the traditions to your kids – taking them out on their special day at the special time?
Mandi recently posted…Celebrating World Prematurity Day at 9 Months Old
Thank you Mandi. I don’t do the skipping school tradition because it is much harder as a working mom but I have some others. My mom was really good at holidays.
I’m sorry for your loss and happy late Birthday!
You had a very special mom.
Hope you had a great birthday—