A Day Worth Celebrating- Mom is 82

We celebrated my mom's 82nd birthday today.  There were lots of smiles, hugs, kisses, flowers, balloons and cards.  She has had a rough March with sickness, but she is much better and was able to spend her birthday with all of us and we were able to bring her joy today.  She loved seeing her sweetie pie (Dad), her older sister, her grandsons, and Tom and I.  She loved speaking to her younger sister and niece on the phone too.  My aunt is so thoughtful to call them on Mom's birthday on her cell phone, so they could talk together.  

Every day is a gift.  Every celebration worth rejoicing in.  Every word of love spoken worth listening to and appreciating....  We take nothing for granted these days.  And God's gifts to us are abundant as we looked around the rooms today where we gathered and saw the love in each one's face, voice, and arms holding us.

Philip read his card to Grandmom.

Joseph showing Mom one of her birthday presents~ a family photo

She loves her boys!

Then Dad arrived....  His love for her keeps him going and keeps him smiling.  EVERYTHING changes for the better when he walks into the room to see her or when she enters any room where he may be.

That smile begins.... and it never stops.

The love of my parents, even to this day, makes feel so incredibly blessed.

Mom and Dad got to be with us big kids too.

The iPad 3 is quite remarkable to Dad

 How long could she gaze at them?  A very long time.....

Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream can give you the chills, but just being with family and knowing how special they make you feel is better than a warm blanket.  The two combined for Mom is heaven! 

 My Aunt loves her great nephews and they love her bunches too!!

Sisters.....I was so touched by these two today.  My aunt drove a long way to be able to come celebrate with us.  Thank you Willie Mae!  We loved seeing you.  Mom meant it with all her heart when she said,  "Thank you for coming all this way."

And we do not forget at all the love of another sister of theirs, Jenny and her daughter Barbara as well who spoke to Mom on the phone and wished her well and a happy birthday.  We missed them today, but Florida is a long way.... and  Mom knows they love her and she is so blessed by their voices and being able to just talk with them on her birthday.  Thanks you all for making Mom smile today!!  If we are apart we are still together at heart! 

That's a lot of love today...... and I'm so blessed to be able to tell my moma one more time, "  Happy Birthday and  I love you, you know."