Happy birthday, Mom

Wonderful Mom, fantastic Grandma

Today is my mom's birthday, and she is still as young, vibrant, and energetic as ever.  My friends love to be with my family, even though (and maybe sometimes because) she loves to give them a lot of ribbing and kidding around.  My mom is a tiny tornado... generous, loving, funny, and fun.  If you know Ginny Vander Hey, you know that she is a force of nature.  This is my birthday gift to her.

  


Dear Mom,

I am a lucky daughter to have you as my mom.  Not every kid in the world is so loved, so cherished, so wanted, but I have always known this.

Not every baby has a mom who nursed her in the 70s, when nursing was out of fashion, and when the pediatrician's nurse sternly advised her to feed me "every four hours and no more!" she switched doctors without hesitation. 

Not every child has a mom who was not a wallflower and was unafraid to state her views. It wasn't until I was much older that I understood she was showing me integrity and strength by example.

Not every teenager has a mom who says, "Call us if you need a ride home," and there is no doubt that she'll be right there, without repercussions. 

Not every young woman has a mom who tells her that women are are smart as men and that any occupation in the world is a possibility.

Not every woman who finds herself suddenly single has the full support and love and absolutely no guilt or blame from her mother. Not every woman's mother would say, when asked her opinion on whether or not she should visit a new suitor in Phoenix, "Why not? Go and have fun."  (Mom likes to take credit for that first visit to Will in Arizona.)

Not every woman has had the guidance of a mother who has become her friend.  I am incredibly blessed to have been born to you, Mama.  I love you.

At Lady Bird Johnson Center in Austin

My heroes: Mom and Dad