Hi ho, MMMLOGerinos!

It's my mother's 80th birthday today! Our tradition, started by her mother, is to call early birthday morning and sing the happy birthday song in a very special way. We all, except Dad, sing the song and no birthday celebration can begin without the song from each. Even the son of MMMMM, the Karaoke star, does it and I believe my sister's children do, too. I've just put a call into Mother, but the line is busy. Some sibling must have her on the line, assaulting her ear in that special way.

I just talked to Mother and discovered that her sister, my Auntie, had beaten me to the first birthday song of the morning. Mom has big plans for today which may include dressing up like a crazy old woman for her appointment at the beauty shop where her longtime stylist, Carol, is threatening to throw her down and pierce Mom's ears. In the past, Carol has suggested to Mother that she get her eyebrows tattooed on as the lack of essential hairs in that area are Mother's special hell. However, today I urged Mom to draw her eyebrows on with a Sharpie like thick black caterpillars facing each other over her nose and to be sure to pencil in tiny heads and antenna. Always the good time, Mother said she'd think about that. And since my sister was there when I called, I'm sure she would LOVE to help Mother look as crazy as possible. And my sister is a fabulous artist who no doubt could render realistic crawlies across Mom's brow with ease and special delight.

It's been my rare privilege to share the earth with my mother these many years and I so refuse to consider that won't always be the case.

Happy birthday, Mother. I love you!!!

Ciao, ciao, MMMMMMMMMMMMelinda