You consistently amaze me each day. I remember you were the mom all my friends loved and wanted to be around. You loved your double wave and I could always hear you cheering me on during the halftime performance. You always have unwavering support for me and the best advice. I know I annoy you with a million text messages a day about random things but I think you honestly love them. The fact you know exactly what I am think, when I think it (and sometimes even before I think it) still blows my mind. I am so glad you are my momma. You are truly my best friend.
For her milestone* birthday today, I decided to ask her a few questions to learn more about her. (*hint: she doesn't look her age. She's got some great genes.)
Enjoy the interview:
Gabrielle: Hi! What is your name and age
Mom: My name is Margaret and I'm young enough to have fun and old enough to get discounts and free stuff....
Well that's a way to start. HA! On to the questions....
G: Were you named after anyone?
M: No
G: What was one of your favorite outfits when you were growing up?
M: My peach dress. My Godmother, Lottie, bought it for my first day of kindergarten. I wanted to wear that dress all the time. Whenever mom asked me what I wanted to wear, I would say the peach dress. It finally was worn and washed and ironed so many times it got thread barren. I took my first school picture in that dress.
G: Did you have a nickname?
M: Peggy ( I will add toots and tooties to this list.)
G: Tell me about a heirloom that was passed down to you & the meaning it holds.
M: Mom and Dad's wedding portrait. It is special to me in many ways. It is a daily reminder of how young they were when they married. It also reminds me that even though money was very scare in 1935-when they got married- they thought it was important to have a beautiful portrait done. I always felt that they knew someday it would be passed down to a son/daughter/ In 1975, when they were married 40 years, we had a surprise anniversary party for them and had the photo restored and the frame cleaned and refreshed. All of their kids chipped in.
M: Describe your first car.
G: My first car was a Carmine Red 1978 Oldsmobile. It was purchased shortly after I began my first teaching job. While were dating, Dad had a gold plate engraved for me saying "Carmine." We adhered it to the center of the dashboard above the radio. When the car was sold in 1987 the name plate was still there.
G: What is one piece of advice your parents gave you that has always stuck with you?
M: Love your family. Work Hard. Save Money. Don't ever give up!! Go down fighting; fight for what is right. and my dad always told me I am representing the family- He would say- LOOK SMART, You are representing!!
G: Where was the place you loved being the most?
M: In the safety of my home with my parents and siblings. Now, at home with you and dad.
G: What was the best gift you were given and who gave it to you?
M: You-Gabrielle-was my best gift I ever received.
G: Did you have any pets growing up?
M: Yes, many.
A black cat named Midnight; An orangy and white cat named Sandy. Sandy loved water which is unusual for cats. I could bathe her in the tub and she would sit under a hair dryer.
A greyish cat with white spots named Buttons. At the end of 5th grade, we moved. Buttons went missing for over a year. One day I was going home for lunch in 6th grade and while waiting to cross the street in front of my school, a cat came out of the bushes. She was brushing up against my legs and meowing. I realized it was Buttons and scooped her up and ran home with her in my arms. As I approached my house, I was screaming "Ma! Ma!" My mother was upstairs in our house and heard me screaming and came running down the stairs to the front door. There I was crying, carrying Buttons.
A dog named Chico that I got when I was a junior in college in 1976. He was small and lived a long time.
G: What did you want to be when you grew up?
M: I always wanted to be a teacher. When I was a little girl, I would play school on the weekends. My dad got us a large blackboard which made our basement feel like a real classroom. I always loved books and learning.
_____
Mom, You are amazing. You are superwoman. I don't know how you do it all. Thank you for always being my best friend, my supporter, my advocate and most importantly, my mom. You are smart, sassy, strong, feisty, loving, kind, resourceful, humble, and beautiful. My life would have turned out 100% different if I didn't have you as my mom. I love you more.
[[I am a strong woman because a strong woman raised me.]]
Leave a comment below to wish Mom a happy birthday!
-gabrielle
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