Happy Birthday to Linda, my beautiful friend in Eugene, Oregon.
I can't find a recent picture of her but Linda has thick brown hair and a perfect face that seems to get better with age -- I should hate her for that reason alone but I don't. (I won't even mention her perfectly proportioned figure that is curvy in just the right places.)
Linda and I have been friends since our junior year of high school (gulp, nearly 40 years ago.) I don't know if Linda knows it or not but I find her very wise. I have learned so much from her over the years especially about being a mom. Linda and I are both adoptive parents (Linda has 3 kids and her youngest son is from the Ukraine.) I remember one very bad day when my Leah said she wanted her "real" mom. I was upset and when I told Linda this story she said "oh, even the kids I gave birth to have told me they want a different mom." I loved how she put it all in perspective for me. I replay that conversation many times in my head and it always reassures me.
What I admire most about Linda is her steady and thoughtful demeanor. Her mom died about 9 years ago after a battle with Alzheimer's and Linda was a strong and loyal daughter throughout. She treated her mom with love and respect and her actions have inspired me to be a better daughter.
So happy birthday my dear friend. I look forward to our next visit.
P.S. Even though my birthday card is a little late, I promise this is not a repeat of your 17th birthday. The birthday that no one remembered -- not even your own mother. (Linda played the part of Molly Ringwald in Sixteen Candles only it was real-life.)
2 comments:
Thank you Mia for the very kind words. The scary part is that I can't remember my 17th birthday. Maybe you can refresh my memory. It is always interesting how my sister and I remember totally different events from the past!
Linda, I can't believe you don't remember. Everyone forgot your 17th birthday but you didn't complain and it was months later that you brought it up. You said you kept thinking someone would remember so you'd get your hopes up and then your mom just said some mundane thing to you and no one ever mentioned it. I seem to remember all of your funny stories. I always chuckle when I think of you and Diane becoming cheerleaders by default!!!! I hope you had a happy birthday.
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