Celebrating What Would Be Mama's 70th birthday

Last week I watched Practical Magic and I think the story line of sisters with a special bond and special powers influenced a recent dream of mine that featured Mama.

In my dream, my sisters and I were working with Mama in a beautifully appointed and large sewing room doing alterations and making repairs to prom dresses and formal wear for girls that couldn't afford to spend $100 or more on a new gown for a dance. Girls were coming and going and we were talking and laughing and really enjoying our work and the company.

I knew in my dream how wonderful it was to have Mama's company, tho' it didn't seem odd that she was there or did I seem to have any realization that she was gone.

Someone remarked how well Mama looked and we all agreed that she was going so much better. In fact, she was glowing with good health and her smile warmed me to my toes and I could feel myself greedily soaking it in and savoring her company.

As we were working, I started coughing. A deep and productive cough of a really bad chest cold. A cough that rattled and was hard to quiet. I say productive as I was bringing up all sorts of corruption. My hankie was full and I was leaving the room to more discreetly empty my mouth, when Mama asked why I was coughing so badly. In my dream, I remembered suddenly that my sisters and I had taken on her disease and had decided that we would take turns battling it while she grew in strength and we conquered the infection with our younger and stronger lungs. I also knew that if I met her eyes, she would know what we had done and would forbid it. In my dream, I willed myself awake so she couldn't do that.

It really was a wonderful dream, sewing together, doing something she said she always wanted to do, start a closet of gowns for young ladies in need. The togetherness and the love I felt in my dreams really nourished my soul and brought a smile to my face all day.

Thank you for visiting my dreams, Mama!
This will be a wonderful day to remember your love and celebrate the family you created!

Today, I will celebrate the birth of the most important woman in my life, my mother, my mentor, my confidente, my friend.


I will resolve to spend the day in observance of her life, to remember the love she gave, the laughter and tears she shared and the joy she brought into so many lives, especially into my own.


And, I will do it with a smile. I will not give in to the temptation of tears, to feel sorry for myself for the ache I feel, for I miss her so very deeply.
I will strive to reflect the love she gave me onto those I love. By her example, I will learn to be a better mother, a better wife, a better sister, a better friend. I resolve to love as freely as she did, to give of myself as freely as she did.


For the past year and a half, I thought my greatest regret in losing my Mama was that I was not able to get to her side to say good-bye again before she passed. But that would have been for my own comfort. Only recently, have I realized that truly, my greatest regret in losing her was that I was only just learning to be the friend to her she had always been to me.


Mama, you gave me birth into the world, love to sustain me in it as I grew, and by your example I will reflect this love more purposefully, more intentionally, more faithfully, not only to those closest to me, but to all those with whom my path crosses.
Happy Birthday, Mama. I remember you...I celebrate you...I love you.