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Go Nigel, Go!
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Would You Like To Buy My Monkeys?
Sep
21
16 Candles, In Reverse
by Leslie
Yesterday was my mother’s 50th birthday. And I forgot.
I went through the entire day yesterday, with my mother who was home on vacation, without realizing it was her birthday.
It wasn’t until I settled into bed and began counting out the days of my pregnancy that it hit me. I drug myself out of bed and down to the family room where she was working (That’s right folks! She was doing WORK while ON VACATION, ON HER BIRTHDAY) and proceeded to apologize. And then SHE ended up trying to make ME feel better.
I feel just awful because if she forgot my birthday, I’d be upset. My mom told me, “Well, see how you feel when you’re 50. You really won’t mind.”
Mom, do you really know me at all? Of course I would mind. We’re talking about me - the very selfish and forgetful daughter. And did I mention selfish?
The thing that upsets me most about forgetting her birthday is this: I feel like it’s symptomatic of our entire relationship wherein I take her completely for granted. Well, not completely, but nearly completely.
My mom and I are very close. While most adults may consider their parents to be part of their extended family, my mother is very much a part of our immediate. It’s Dave, Julia, my mom and me. We are a family. Not only that, my mom and I are great friends. I can’t imagine my life without her and yet, I often fail to recognize the major role she plays in my daily life. I mean, who likes to try and imagine their life without one of the most important people in it? I don’t sit around thinking, “I wonder what it’d be like without my mom.”
But, I should be saying “Thank You” a whole lot more.
I could go on and tell you hundreds of stories about how fabulous my mom is and all amazing things she has done for me, but I think this says it all: Any time my mom gives me something or does something truly extraordinary for me (and I’m telling you, it’s often), she doesn’t want a thank you. She doesn’t want a pay back. She always tells me, “It’s enough to know that you’ll do the same for your children. You’re paying me back when you pay it forward to them.”
And so now I’m off to the store to gather ingredients that Julia and I will assemble and bake to form a cake we will all eat in honor of her yesterday birthday. But I still feel bad. Molly Ringwold got Jake Ryan for her forgotten birthday. All my mom is getting is cupcakes.
Would a belated birthday strip-o-gram be out of line?
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I once got a phone call from my Mom inviting me out to dinner with her and my Dad. I said, “Sure, I’d love to, what’s the occasion?” She replied, “umm… Our 25th wedding anniversary…”
OOPS!
A strip-o-gram is always an appropriate gift
I vote that you get the strip o gram…and record it for youtube.
“I feel like it’s symptomatic of our entire relationship wherein I take her completely for granted.” She’s your mom. Moms are there to be taken advantage of just a little. Julia (and the little devil baby) will do the same thing to you when they are older and I bet you won’t mind all that much. Because thats what moms are for.
Awww that is kinda sad…. for your Mum! 50 !!!! That’s a BIGGIE, god help any one of my kids who forgets mine next year I tell you!!!!! Maybe your Mum really did not mind…. but I would wonder about that mate! I felt very hurt lately when a couple of my kids didn’t bother to ring or text or NOTHING to see how I was after having two surgery’s in two weeks!!!! Anyway, better go, someone at the door.
Yes, yes…the strip o gram is the perfect birthday gift!!!
My bday is Feb 27…..hint hint:)
I’m with your mom on this one. I wish someone would forget my birthday already.
I’ve never felt like I was taken for granted. What she doesn’t say is all of the things that she does for me too!!!
I could not ask for a better daughter.
And–I’ve decided that I am not 50–I am 2 x25. And 25 was pretty fabulous!!!
Love you Leslie!!!
Aww, your mom sounds like such a wonderful person…like my MIL.
Here’s the rule: you are not blamed for any memory loss issues while pregnant. Memorize rule. And then promptly forget it
Cheers to your relationship with your mom. I think you’re BOTH very lucky!
haha! Would the stip-o-gram be for you or your mom? Be honest.
I forget my parents’ birthdays all the time. That’s because their Chinese birthdays is based on the lunar calendar, which means the birthdays land on different dates every year (and I have no idea how the lunar calendar works).
Okay, now I officially feel old. Here I am reading one of my favorite blogs, feeling such a connection, especially with the chaos around your house, and I read about your forgetting your Mom’s birthday. Then you say it is her 50th….
I guess when you read the future blog about my birthday party you will be in reverse shock, so I’ll give you warning. It was in April. It was my 50th…
Do you still love me?
I thought it was just me but there are so many people forgetting Birthdays and Anniversaries. I was always tagged for forgetting birthdays. But not anymore coz I recently visited http://forgetmeneversolutions.com/ that provides reminder services and beautiful gifting ideas. Just log on and feel the difference.
Somehow I missed this post originally. Did you get her the strip-o-gram?