You guys, today’s my mom’s birthday.

She would have been 65.

I don’t have a ton of photos of my mom. I’ve talked about that before.

And every year, this day comes around and I blog about her and I say Happy Birthday.

Why? Why do I do it? Sometimes I have no idea.

Maybe it’s cathartic. Maybe I think in some strange, twisted way she’s reading this from above. Maybe it’s to keep her memory going. I don’t know. I have no idea.

But today she would have been 65.

I don’t know why that number feels weird to me.

Maybe it feels weird because she died at the age of 55. And the fact that she would have been 65, ultimately means she’s been gone for almost 10 years – and truthfully, I don’t want to believe that. I don’t want to believe it’s been 10 years.

But I’m not going to get sad, or feel sorry for myself, or say Oh, woe is me, all day long. She’d be kicking my butt right now if she knew that. She hated feeling sorry for herself.

So, there’s nothing left to do but celebrate her.

I also like to find it coincidental, or perhaps fitting, that her birthday falls on Memorial Day weekend. She served our country so selflessly. She gave everything. And ultimately, she lost her life because of her service.

So, there’s nothing left to do but honor her.

And the best way I can do that is to continue to live my life like she taught me. Like mother, like daughter.

Just a few things my mother taught me:

• Never feel sorry for yourself, even when you really, really want to
• Always give anything you’re doing 110% of your effort – when you give it any less, you’re only doing yourself a disservice
• When you get pulled over by the police, always have an “I’m sorry officer! I really have to pee!” excuse in your back pocket. OR, just start crying.
• Stand up for what you know is right, fight for what you believe in, and never turn the other cheek on injustice. But avoid fights where necessary.
• It’s never too late at night to eat New York Super Fudge Chunk.
• Time with family is priceless – and never, ever take them for granted
• Love your husband more than yourself
• Your reward is far greater when you serve others rather than serving yourself
• You’re never too old to wear pleather pants and glitter tops to NSYNC concerts
• Welcome anyone into your home who needs a roof over their heads, a meal in front of them, or a loving hug
• Laughing is, by far, the best medicine
• Be quick to forgive, quick to trust, quick to love, and slow to anger
• Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional

When I was a teenager, the last person in the whole world I wanted to be like was my mom. Now, the person I want to be like most in this world, is even half the person she was. 

“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many woman do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive , and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. * -Proverbs 31:26-31

So, today, I say Happy Birthday, mom. I love you. Don’t worry, 65 isn’t that old.