Happy Birthday Ma

As I've said before people handle things differently. Today's my mom's birthday and I didn't take flowers to her grave. As a matter of fact, I haven't been to her grave in I don't even know how long. I'm not one to visit graves, I don't like it, matter-of-fact I dislike it immensly. My parents both know that I'm that way, so please don't think I'm a horrible horrible person for not being the type to visit the resting place of loved ones often, or at all in my case. I think about my mom a lot, like a lot a lot. I miss her so much and especially on a day like this. So this is a post for her :) (Please enjoy the music!)

Mom,

Do you remember that time at the Dr.'s office, we were sitting there and you were on the exam table thingy and we were crackin' jokes as always. Then, it got quiet and you said, 'RINA! What is that on your face?' and instantly I was swatting and wiping at my face thinking maybe it was a boogar or a pimple from hell (not normal-promise). I touched my nose, nope not there you said. 'By your ear, it's like black' ok something'. Ok, something black by my ear...I'm FUH-REAKING out! LAUGHTER....laughter so loud and sooooo genuine I started laughing. 'What? What is on my face?', finally when you catch a second to breath, "Oh...it's your sideburns". I was mortified!!! "MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!" Laughter, laughter. Our stomachs hurting because of the laughter. Ahhhh the good times.

How about the time we were in Vegas and I decided to give you a pedicure (you should have known I had bad news to tell you....I mean honestly, your knuckle head daughter, volunteering to give you a pedicure? You set yourself up for that one ma!) and we were talking about Mani. Gosh, you loved him already! Oh the look on your face when I told you he wasn't going on his mission any more. Oh but wait, how about the look on your face when I told you the reason. hahaha. Ok, ok! Next memory...sheesh!

Remember that one night I told you to 'shutup'. Ok really, I was a teenager and this was the first time I EVER dared to say that to you! It was bound to happen, I was such a good child anyway! haha How about the next day (after I got slapped for telling you to shutup) we went to visit Aunty Lasi and you were teasing me about something and you guys were laughing and I was riiiiiiight about to tempt my fate again and just as my mouth started to form the word "shutup" you said "Whoa! Remember the LAST time you said that to me! BWAHAHAHAHA" so not cool mom! Gosh!

Do you remember the outfit you wore on our trip to Maryland? Oh my heck, you LOVED it and I thought you were crazy for wearing PJ's on the airplane! I remember telling you it looked like a New Year's party barfed on your outfit...and we laughed and laughed. You know I was kidding, right ma?

I'll never forget the day I told you I was moving to Utah. Out of the house. On my own. Away from my mom. My bff. My world. My everything at that point. Mom, I cried too that night. I cried because I missed you already but my pride wouldn't let it show.

How about in church, sacrament meeting, you always sang your own melody to whatever hymn we were singing. And you weren't quiet about it either! Oh the shame we felt...even though after sacrament meeting on more than one occasion, people who sat next to us said how much they loved your voice. What I'd give, mom, to hear that voice one more time...

Mom, thank you for loving me more than I will ever know. Thank you for raising me to be the woman, wife, mother that I am today. Thank you for loving my kids unconditionally :) I miss you so so so much and I hope I make you proud all the days of my life.

I love you and Happy Birthday.

Your baby