Happy birthday Mom!

Today’s blog post is about my mother. Not because India didn’t show herself worth writing about, but because my mother – my sweet, wonderful, fun, beautiful, wise, fabulous and once in a while stupid mother – turns 70 tomorrow. And as she has invited a ton of guests tomorrow and is leaving for India and travelling with me and the family the day after; well, then today is the day to write about her. At least if I want to make sure she reads it before leaving.

My mother has many different personalities. She is the little girl, who tore her dolls apart to see what made their eyes open and close. She’s the builder, who might have had the same address for 40+ years, but whose home has changed several times. My mother is also a lady with pretty dresses and fancy jewelries. The lady, who introduced her kids to great literature, classical and modern theater, art etc.

I feel so safe when Im with my mother. Hiding away in her arms, when the rest of the world ought to go away but doesn’t. She’s one to call when everything else falls apart. One to fart with and laugh about it.

My mother loves company. Parties. Laughter. She would do anything for her friends if they need it – sometimes even if they don’t need it. I think I got that from her (though I try only to be there when needed). Funnily, she's the one, who once told me to take a little less care of my friends as I might risk forgetting to take care of myself.

And once in a while, my mother is also stupid. Never on purpose, but because she’s a human being – and sometimes humans do stupid things. Then she hurts me awfully, perhaps because she points out exactly what was hurting the most already. Other times Im the one saying the stupid things. Probably how it is. You can only be hurt by people you like enough to get hurt. Over the years I’ve taught her to say she likes me – in other ways than calling me a rotten child. She’s become much better at that.

For instance, I have no doubt that my mother loves my writing. She reads all my stories – even the ones I wrote about our common trip in Canada. She’ll happily forward my letters and blog posts to friends and acquaintances – and get offended if they don’t appreciate as much as her.

Since I began globetrotting, we’ve started travelling together. Spending a full day with each a camera, looking out for good – great – motives. A day in Kennedy Space Center equally fascinated by the moon landings and completely on the same page, when it comes to spend at least an hour in the museum shop afterwards.

Now she’s turning 70. So happy birthday beautiful Mom – you are exactly that mother I wished for.