Happy Birthday Mom

My mother is 57 today. As she doesn't know about this blog, I can state her age without fear of repercussions. It's funny how I never really appreciated her when I was a kid. She was just always Mom, always THERE and just mine to talk to, whinge to, be a horrid teenager to..you get the picture...

I didn't have to share her with anyone else, (being an only child), I had her 100% attention, her 100% love and of course, 100% of the blame when something happened and I couldn't pretend a sibling did it!

As she gets older though, I realize how lucky I am to have her. In 1980 she was diagnosed with a brain tumour and was given 6 months to live-a very poor prognosis. The surgery that was done saved her life, but left her permanently relying on medication in order to continue living. She no longer has a pituitary gland (anyone with a biology background knows that the pituitary is pretty much needed for basic life!) so therefore doesn't produced hormones, adrenaline and various other life sustaining things. It's not called the "master gland" for nothing! Her life is thanks to pills she takes everyday. She was given 10-15 years post surgery in terms of her life expectancy. But it is now a miraculous 28 years later and she is still here. Her bad days are a bit more frequent (she tires easily and sometimes has a hard time getting going in the morning depending on her cortisol levels) but hey, I'm not picky. My mom is still with me, and I'm happy to have her, low energy or not.

It has been a true gift from God that she has made it this far in order to see her grandchild and know Alira and bond with her. And for Alira to know her and love her. They have such a special relationship and I stand at the sidelines when they are together and can practically see the love streaming from my mother to my daughter and it is so thick and fast it is almost a tangible thing.

So, Happy Birthday Mom, you are my miracle, and even though I never really thought twice about you being here for me when I was a selfish child/teenager and was just used to my mother being a constant in my life, I am now thankful every day simply for the gift of you being here. You have taught me how to be a mom and that has been the greatest thing you have ever given me. Will always love you and I hope we have a million more years together!