Tuesday, July 9, 2013

July 9th!


Happy birthday to me!
I was fifty three!
But not anymore -
I'm now fifty four!

This is something of a landmark birthday for me. Fifty four was the last birthday my mother celebrated. She was a vibrant, healthy, active woman who, shortly before her death, married her second husband, went hiking through India and Nepal, and sewed amazing clothing to wear to her job as a Comptroller for a high-end architectural firm.

One day she found a suspicious mole that was removed and the doctors believed that all was well. One year later she realized all was not well and, one month later, she was gone. I was in my 20s and losing her was one of the most devastating experiences of my life. Though I am grateful that I could be there, care for her through that last month, and hold her hand at the end.

My mother was also my friend - we shared a passion for sewing. I still have her sewing machine and her serger and I hope they last me forever. (Well, I wouldn't object to a newer, self threading serger. ;) Her Rowenta iron, by the way, died many years ago, long before my marriage was over.)

I don't have many pictures of her, but this is a school picture taken when she was 13. Can you believe the hairstyle for a 13-year-old? lol I keep this photo in my sewing room.

Here's to you, mom! I still miss you. Thank you for everything!

57 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday to you, shams! Your mother sounds so interesting, energetic and stylish--it was wonderful to read about her. How happy she would be to know you are sewing on with her machines, and breaking new ground artistically and personally as you enter a part of life she didn't get to see. Hope it's a wonderful day for you!

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  2. What a sweet tribute- thank you for letting us share her!

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  3. Happy birthday to you Shams! A lovely tribute to your mother, on a significant day. She had a lovely smile, just like yours :)

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  4. Happy birthday! What a sad story. But also very happy. You have great memories and you shared so much with your mother.

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  5. Happy Birthday to you today! What a testimony of happy memories. What joy to have shared so much with your mom and have that with you through your life. Happy 54!!! especially now that you are leaner and feeling great! m.

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  6. Happy Day to you! I have similar memories of my Mom; thanks for sharing.

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  7. I see you and your daughters in her face. Because we only understand living in our bodies, we just can't understand the spiritual body. But I believe that those who have loved us remain with us and are very much a part of our day to day life.
    Wishing you the most incredible day. Happy, happy birthday!!!!!

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  8. Happy Birthday Shams.
    I understand your "landmark" feelings. My mother passed away at the age of 42. When I hit that birthday I was overwhelmed with the "I'm not ready to go" panic.
    Enjoy your mother's memory on your special day and be sure to create new memories for your daughters.

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  9. What a beautiful tribute to the woman who gave you the greatest gift of life. Happy birthday, have a wonderfully fun filled day. And hoping you get a self-threading serger for you birthday!

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  10. Happy Birthday, shams! sweet and sad memories. I too was able to spend the last month of my mother's life with her. What a gift.

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  11. Happy Birthday!! Your mother was an adorably cute girl! I'm sure she's proudly watching over you.

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  12. Happy birthday, Shams!! Thank you for sharing about your mom. She is precious!

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  13. Happy birthday to you, Shams! Thank you for sharing your memories about your sweet mom.

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  14. Happy Birthday! Your tribute to your mom is so touching. I'm sure she is enjoying your creative continuation of her sewing skills. My mom was also an incredible seamstress and my love of sewing helps me to keep her memory always with me. Enjoy your special day!

    Lynda

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  15. Happy Birthday! Isn't it wonderful to have a relationship with a parent that moves beyond just parent/child and into friendship? Thank you for sharing your thoughts about your mother. Have a fabulous day!

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  16. A Very Happy Birthday, Shams! Your adorable mom obviously lives on in you and your daughters.

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  17. Happy Birthday!
    Its so wonderful that you still can feel such closeness to your mother.
    Have a lovely day!!!

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  18. Many Happy Returns of the Day Shams!! That is a lovely photo of your mom, to accompany your beautiful memoir about her!

    Here's hoping you get good presents today and lots of good wishes too!!

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  19. Happy Birthday. What lovely sentiments about your mother.
    Hope your day is extremely special, filled with friends, fun, and laughter.

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  20. Happy Birthday, Shams. How wonderful to have such special memories of your mother. Have a great day!

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  21. My mother died young too, didn't get to be 54. Now I am 64 and am still surprised that I have lived so much longer than my mother did. Your mother had great hair!

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  22. Happy Birthday Shams! I would say eat some cake but I know you won't...how about a nice summer tomato instead? It is weird that in the middle of night I was thinking of my dad who died at 59....sad to lose parents at any time but when they are young and you are young it is even harder. Have a great day and sew something on your mom's machine.

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  23. Happy birthday! Lovely way to remember your mother....

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  24. shams, this is a lovely remmembrance of your mother. Happy Birthday friend!

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  25. Happy Birthday to you and many more. Lovely post.

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  26. Happy Birthday, my friend! That's a lovely memory of your mother; I envy you the closeness you had. Have a great day with your girls!

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  27. A very Happy Birthday to you, may your day be super special. I was able to spend the last 2 precious months with my mom, the wonderful woman that taught me to sew among many others things. I would not have given that time up for anything. I also have her machines. We are very lucky people to have such wonderful moms.

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  28. Your Mom sounds lovely, of course you must miss her, especially on your birthday. Hopefully your day will be wonderful and your recent weight loss will help you to have a long, healthy and happy life. My very best wishes for your Birthday and thank you for your interesting and well-written blog.

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  29. Happy Birthday to you and thanks for the the story of your mother. She sounds very special and it's nice to hear a bit more now and then when you feel like sharing. I apologize if this sounds trite, but it seems good to keep her memory alive by introducing her to us this way. I am so sorry you lost her at such a young age, but glad you are thriving now, at her age- you are doing her proud, no doubt. hugs.

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  30. Happy Birthday, Shams! I loved reading about your mother, she was a very special lady, just as you are.

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  31. Happy Birthday to you my friend. Thanks for sharing your Mom's story. No doubt, you have honored and continue to honor her memory. I hope you have many many more blessed birthdays!!

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  32. Happy Birthday Shams and thank you for sharing the wonderful memory of your mother. I'm 65 and my Mother is 92 which makes me truely thankful. But your post makes me reflect on my grandmother who taught and gave me my love of sewing. I definitely feel her presence in my sewing room. Have a wonderful day.

    Karen

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  33. Happy birthday! Reading about your mom brought tears to my eyes. ♥ Enjoy your day.

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  34. Happy, Happy Day, Shams! I'm so sorry you lost your mother so young. I did too. Sometimes when I'm at the fabric store, I feel like she's with me, offering her opinions of the fabric. Perhaps a lot of us do that. I hope so. Your tribute is very touching. That's a darling picture. You look just like her!

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  35. Happy Birthday, Shams, and many, many more!

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  36. Happy Birthday. I've been reading your blog for about a year and have enjoyed it. Your story of your mother and the memories of sewing are beautifully poignant. thanks for sharing.

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  37. Happy Birthday, Shams! Beautiful photo of your mom.

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  38. Happy birthday! Thanks for sharing your memories.

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  39. Happy Birthday! I remember when I had lived longer than my beloved mother -- 43. It was a hard transition. So glad that you have lovely memories and that she lives on in your sewing endeavors -- mine does too!

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  40. Happy Birthday to you Shams. Meeting these milestones of remembrance is very special. I am glad you have such lovely thoughts to warm you on your birthday. May you have many more. Your mom is darling.

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  41. Happy Birthday, Shams! I feel sure that your mom would be so proud of you now, with all that you've learned and accomplished.
    Love,
    Margaret

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  42. Happy Birthday to you, Shams! You've been giving gifts to all of us with these wonderful blog posts, delving into life beyond sewing. I love the memories of your mother that you shared, and that picture of her. There's the beginning of your smile! You certainly got off to a good start with a special woman like that leading the way.

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  43. Happy birthday!! It sounds like your mom was a really neat person. You can definitely see some resemblance!

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  44. I just love that you keep that cute photo of your mom in your sewing room! Happy birthday! Thank you so much for sharing such an important day with us; you are one mighty special person! XOXO

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  45. Happy Birthday, Shams! I see the resemblance to you in that sweet picture. Your mom sounds like an amazing woman. I'm sorry you lost her so early in life. It's really hard to lose your mom. Thank you for sharing the story.

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  46. Happy birthday! I am so sorry about your mother---she sounds amazing and like she left you a great legacy. Her photo is beautiful. I wish you many more years of awesome sewing!

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  47. Happy birthday! How wonderful that you have such lovely memories to keep and to share.

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  48. Happy birthday, Sharon! I wish you many more to enjoy in good health. I had a mole removed earlier this year, so that poignant story really touched me. So very sad that you lost her so young.

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  49. Somehow I missed this post. Happy Birthday! This was a nice tribute to your mother. When the day came, I said to myself that I had now lived longer than my mother had.

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  50. Happy birthday to you and a lovely tribute to your mother...

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  51. Happy Birthday, Shams. July 9th was my mother's birthday. She left us 4 months before she turned 73. I will be 73 in 3 month's time and look forward to reaching that day. Thank you for sharing your memories with us.

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  52. Happy birthday! So sad that you lost your mom at such a young age (hers and yours) - but at the same time, she seems alive and well, both in your spirited remembrance and daily life.

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  53. Happy belated Birthday!. Such a lovely tribute to your mother and I am sorry that you lost her at such a young age. My father died the year he was 54, and he passed within a month in a fashion eerily similar to your mother. Take good care of yourself this year, and treasure your memories and your mother's place in your heart.

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  54. Happy belated birthday Shams! I'm sorry I didn't get to this post earlier. What a story. It's wonderful to know your mom had such a full life to the end and that you two both shared a love for sewing. I'm glad you're getting your health in line, and I think I've almost convinced my husband that we should get a Vitamix. As soon as I get a job here in Seattle. Which means I need to finally start looking... :)

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  55. Hugs and smiles. Such a sweet post. Here's to those of us with Very Special Moms, and the memories we will always share :)

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