Mom's Birthday Celebration

Friday was Mom's actual birthday, but we celebrated in Denver on Saturday night with Randi and her family too.

We went all out for the 70th birthday festivities.  Kristi made a picture quilt--similar to the ones that mom makes for the grand-kids when they graduate. It was beautifully colored, and the pictures all looked great on it.

Randi and Kevin made-- her favorite-- German chocolate cake, and spent many hours editing a family picture from Lake Powell.

Becky gathered the grand kids, rocks and a pretty glass jar.  She had the grand kids write on one side of their rock ways that Grandma is their "rock"(an experience, memory or attribute), and then had them write their own name on the other side of the rock. (Todd's kids wrote on rocks and sent them with Marissa to Colorado.)

You can see on the screen, left to right
Laura (my cousin), then Randi, Me and Todd.

Lastly, several people in mom's life wrote letters about how she has affected or helped them in their lives.  While I was initially disappointed that more people didn't write a letter, the letters that were written were touching, meaningful and incredible.  Because I was in charge of compiling the letters, I was able to read each one. It was an eye opening experience to see my mom through the eyes of some of the people whom she has touched.  It allowed me to see her, not as my mom, but more as another woman.

After the dinner and the presentation of the gifts, we watched old home movies.  I was struck by how similar of a mom I am.  The way she sat with me as a baby to open my gifts, slid down the sides of rocks on the mountain she was climbing, and created birthday cakes made me think of the mom I am continually trying to be myself.

Thank you mom for your example and for you love for me and my family.