Birthday Post

This 23-year-old pretty lady is now a beautiful centenarian--and she's my mama.  I'm the baby in the picture, born on October 14, 1948.

She and my daddy were crazy in love.  I got his blue eyes and crooked little finger.  He called me Sugar and sang to me, "You are my sunshine...."

I was the center of their world, until I had to learn to share that position with my baby brother--when I was three years old.  From the looks of it, he didn't entirely love being held by me.

Mimi, my adorable grandmother, was 23 when Carlene was born--and she had three sons and two daughters.  All of the sons have died, but Dot is a healthy, happy 94.  Mimi, who was orphaned at 3, adopted at 7, lived to be almost 98 years old. 

What I realize about my female heritage is that no one ever admits to being old.  Never!  Mimi considered herself "middle aged" in her nineties. 

Here is Mimi when she was about the age I am now.

And here is Carlene when she was about the age I am now.

And here I am turning 77 with friends on Saturday--cropped from a photo of four because one of us didn't want the photo posted. Janet (in the striped dress)  made all four of our dresses , all by the same pattern, different fabrics--and we all wore them to the party! 

By almost anybody's standards, my mama has a daughter who is--you know--old.  But I'm going to follow in the tradition of Carlene and Dot and Mimi (as Day resolves to do, too) and never mention that obvious fact.  Aging is not a disease; it has its challenges, but it's a great privilege to live a long life! 

Today marks 54 years since my beautiful  blue-eyed Day was born just after midnight on my birthday!  She's having a wonderful year, having moved from school staff (mentor to teachers) to the classroom again, also coaching girl's football!  She's designed an art studio for her back yard and construction is starting soon!

Next week Day and I are meeting in Athens for Day to belatedly celebrate Nana's 100th birthday.  I'm spending today packing my car for my first solo (plus Luci)  road trip in years. 

My birthday this year was wonderful.  Will and Bonnie and Elena hosted me last night for a Will-made delicious Asian meal and my birthday cake was a plate of cupcakes from Bird Bakery. 

Then he and Elena sang duets--my idea of a perfect party!