Today I managed to insult and hurt a total stranger…Lucy’s beautiful, delightful mother turned 80 today and had the misfortune of coming across my flip attempt at being humorous and thinking like a snarky, irritated-with-life young teenager. I mistakenly thought I had some expertise with at least understanding the thought process of a young adolescent since I managed to survive the care and feeding of four of them now as well as the fact that I was once such a creature more than three decades ago back when I rudely protested to my own parents often such thoughts.

I should be ashamed of myself. I should be ashamed of myself today and I should especially be ashamed of myself and the thoughts I had as a rude little girl 35 years ago.

I am.

Today I offer my most sincere apologies to Lucy’s mother and, if she were alive today, to my great Aunt Martha who was  86 years old when I was a snarky, rude thirteen year old.

Hazel the First and Hazel the Second

There is nothing more that I treasure today than the fact that I still get to enjoy the time I spend with my 84 year old grandmother (yes, she was incredibly young when I was born for those who are doing the math). I also treasure every moment of every day that I get to see Hazel the First play with Hazel the Second. There is nothing more thrilling than to witness a 91 year old woman get down on the floor and play with her two year old great-great grandchild who was named after her. My first born remembers the time she spent with her great-great grandmother and namesake, my great grandmother Austa Valentine before she passed away just days shy of her 96th birthday. I hope and pray that Hazel the Second will remember her time playing with Hazel the First. I was an irritatingly, rude little girl in my early adolescence but I did grow up and very quickly came to realize what treasures I have in my life. That is why I willingly spend every moment that I can with those in my life who are lucky enough to have lived such long, healthy, productive, blessed lives. I can only hope that I will be so lucky…I know I have the potential genes.

Happy birthday Lucy’s mother! I truly, truly hope that you will not allow the flip comments of a total stranger ruin your day. You are so much better than that and deserve all the happiness and joy that your family and friends bring you today, every day for years to come.

I can only hope to grow up someday and be as amazing as you, as Austa Valentine, as Mary Catherine, as Madeline Ann, as Hazel Frances and especially as Martha Louise.

When I Grow UP I Want To Be An Old Woman

I think of all you amazing women in my life every time I watch this video. Today I dedicate it to Lucy’s mother.