She Who Should Be Queen

“Life began with waking up and loving my mother's face.” ~George Eliot

One of my favorite photographs~3 Generations

Circa 1988

A Mother’s Love
by Jim Brickman

Thank you for watching over me
All of the sleepless nights you lay awake
Thank you for knowing when to hold me close
when to let me go

Thank you for every stepping stone
And for the path that always leads me home
I thank you for the time you took
to see the heart inside of me

You gave me the roots to start this life
and then you gave me wings to fly
and I learned to dream
because you believed in me

There's no power like it on this earth
No treasure equal to its worth
The gift of a mother's love

Thank you for every sunlit day
That filled the corners of my memory
Thank you for every selfless unsung deed
I know you did for me

Thank you for giving me the choice
To search my soul till I could find my voice
And I thank you for teaching me
To be strong enough to bend

You gave me the roots to start this life
And then you gave me wings to fly
And I learned to dream
Because you believed in me

There's no power like it on this earth
No treasure equal to its worth
The gift of a mother's love

I thank God for a mother's love...

                                                             Happy Birthday Mother

  A Mother’s Love~Jim Brickman & Mark Masri
 My Mother’s Eyes~Bette Midler
  Good Mother~Jann Arden
 Billy Crystal’s Fernando-You Look Marvelous

I woke up this morning in a celebratory mood: it’s my mother’s birthday.  She’s 50-24 today, [I borrowed this way of calculating from Elayne Boosler] and in the words of Billy Crystal’s Fernando character from Saturday Night Live, “She looks mahvalous, Dahling!”  I even said that on the phone this morning after Tom, and I serenaded her with “Happy Birthday”.  She laughed.
I’ve thought a lot today about what I could write about my mother.  I’ve written a lot about her on this blog: I’ve told stories about what a great mother she is and how blessed I am to have been chosen as one of three children entrusted by the big guy upstairs to “make her a mother”.   Each of us had our special roles to play in that task.  We’ve all caused her some gray hairs throughout this process — some laughs — some tears — some worries — some prideful moments — some headaches and given a whole lot of love.  It’s what kids do.  From cradle to grave, it’s a never-ending cycle of Mom-Child emotions wrapped up in a never-ending love. At least that’s how it plays for me.  When we get it wrong or do it badly, she forgives us.  She’s got her role down pat.  She always has.  I admire her.  Still.  She referees when she needs to; comforts when it’s necessary; she still offers advice when one of us is struggling with something; and, she continues to sacrifice.  I don’t think a mother worth her salt ever stops doing that.  My mother is worth her salt.   If I had to classify her as a salt, she’d be a Fleur De Sel {flower of salt} de Guérande known as “the caviar of sea salts” and accepted among chefs as the best.  That’s my mother alright: the best.
When I spoke to her this morning, she joked that she might wear her tiara today.  I told her to do it!  It’s her day after all! It reminded me of last month when she took the tiara that my oldest friend in this world, Terri, bought for my 50th celebration, and placed it on her head.  We laughed.  Terri snapped a picture and called it: She who SHOULD be Queen.  Yes, I agree wholeheartedly with that sentiment.  My mother should have been queen of some municipality somewhere.   It doesn’t have to be a large country.  On the contrary, if my mother was indeed Queen of someplace, it should be a place that’s small—quaint but eclectic.  Fun.  Definitely with ocean views...something along the lines of Monaco but low bearing, because she doesn’t like heights [neither do I].  Yeah.  I could see that.  I can see that so clearly in my mind’s eye. In case I’ve failed to mention this, my mother holds court very well.  People flock to her!  Some people have that “thing” that draws others to them.  My mother’s got it!  People want to be around her — they enjoy being around her.  She knows how to have a good time, and how to show people a good time too.   Yes.  She SHOULD have been born a queen!  At least today, she gets to be one.  I hope she wore her tiara!
Mom, I could give you a thousand accolades, and it wouldn’t be enough to tell you how wonderful I think you are, how blessed I am to have you for my mother or how much I love you.  But, know this....next year for your diamond jubilee....make sure that tiara is in sparkle and shine order, because we’re going to rent a room, order some food, play some music, hold court and party with everyone who wants to join me in hugging you tight and saying, “Happy Birthday, Dahling! You....Look....Mahvalous!!!!”

                                            My  favorite picture of my mother. Circa late 70's