Day 42 and 43- Family Ties

Day 42-43 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

Family is the main reason for me to be happy.  Without my family, I don't know if I would be the same person.  You can't choose your family and sometimes you might want to leave them, but yesterday and today reminded me of why I should be happy all the days of my life. 

Yesterday we went to dinner to celebrate my mom's birthday.  We knew this would be a somewhat sad day since dad wasn't here to make fun of mom or pinch her leg till she says "DONALD!" with that annoyed kind of tone.  At dinner mom was sad, but getting there, at dinner and even afterwards we sure did have a lot of laughs.  Majority of it was making fun of each other.  Including dad.  LOL!  "Next time, can this martini have 3 olives in it, make it less sweet and more dry and try not to shake it as much!"  (Only those who know my dad would get this joke...He was particular with his drinks and I always cringed at the poor waiter who had to take my dad's order.)  We made fun of 2 little boys who can't even defend themselves.  Poor little Max and Ryan were oblivious to us joking with them.  We made fun of mom's reaction to the prices on the menu but then orders one of the most expensive dishes.....and so on.  That doesn't even describe what happened in the parking lot afterwards.  Dorene FLIPPING out because she couldn't find her purse.  Needless to say she had it with her because that was the only way she could get into the car (FYI, Max was sitting on it) or the fact that Phillip went mock 1 towards the bushes where he thought there was an exit, only to back up the whole way when he realized his mistake.  Jim and I were driving home in tears not because we were sad, but because it was a night full of fun and laughter at each other.  We realized that the family is truly dysfunctional and we wouldn't have it any other way.  

I would like to take this opportunity to wish a very special, strong, independent woman a very Happy Birthday.  Mom, if I turn out half the woman you are by the time I am your age, I will consider myself fortunate.  A wise person told me once, "You do not need to be famous to be a celebrity!"  And she is very right.   I look at my mom with more respect than any other woman out there! 

Enjoy your family, enjoy your life, and most importantly enjoy the fact that you can be happy in the only life you have to live!  Oh...and eat CAKE!