Tags
Berlin, Birthday, Canada, children, family, Germany, growing up, happy, joy, kids, laughter, life, Life's like that, living in the moment, love, memories, Mom, parents, Relationships, Stuff my parents used to say and do
The oldest of six children, mom was born in Berlin, Germany the year WWII started.
Not an ideal childhood, but there were those special moments with her favourite grandparents, those rare moments where she could enjoy a piece of chocolate and the hospital stays that made her want to be a nurse.
And then the family years. Getting married. Having children of her own. Making a new and better life in Canada.
I have many memories growing up, like when Mom would tear around the house looking for her rat tail comb so she could finish setting her hair in rollers; all the while the comb was safely fixed in between the rows of curlers on her head.
Or how she’d barely be in the door after work and we’d all be like, “what’s for supper?” She’d sing to us, with us, read to us, take care of us when we were sick, threaten us with the wooden spoon to make us eat porridge, bake a cake every Sunday and feed it to us for breakfast with a vitamin.
And oh those cleaning days on Saturday, stripping, washing and waxing the floor, dragging the mattresses downstairs and beating them on the balcony, vacuuming, dusting, filling the sink with water to wash all the knick knacks, washing the laundry in the wringer washing machine and hanging the laundry on the line – cleaning day was like boot camp!
Waiting up for me when I came home past curfew; lights flicking on blinding me, asking where I’ve been, why I was late, did I have any idea how worried she’d been? what was I thinking? Never mind, just get to bed! And by the way, you’re grounded for the summer – which never really panned out because grounding me meant I’d be around all the time and I was quite the pain in the ass!
Cooking our favourite meal, making our favourite cake on our birthdays, always motivated by wanting to be the kind of mother she had wanted to have as a child.
Wish I could cook for you today Mom. Wish I could bake your favourite cake. Wish we didn’t live so far apart.
Happy Birthday Mom. I know you don’t feel like celebrating and I understand. But you are worth celebrating. I am grateful for you and I hope you have some moments of joy today.
With love, Diana
Minuscule Moments said:
Oh Diana I sit here with my cup of tea on New Years day an a tear in my eye. Your mum looks gorgeous. I hope each day gets a little easier. Those photos are a tribute to the love you have. Your writing is beautiful. Happy New Year.
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Thank you so much Kath! Enjoy that tea and Happy New Year to you too my friend. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Minuscule Moments said:
We went horse riding on new years day Diana through the bush was a great way to start this new year. Happy new Year to you xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
dianasschwenk said:
Kath that sounds perfect – what a way to bring in the new year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Patty B said:
Beautiful memories for a beautiful mother!
LikeLiked by 1 person
dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Patty! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
Healing Grief said:
What a wonderful honoring for your Mum and I hope she had a good birthday. Often in those first years, it is tainted in the background by grief and missing our loved ones. Big hugs to you and your beautiful family Diana over this holiday period.
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
We are learning that Karen. Thanks for the hug. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chatter Master said:
Diana, happy birthday to your mom! What a beautiful gift, your words. Your feelings. Your memories. What parent wouldn’t want to hear these things??? ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Colleen! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
George said:
Great tribute to your mom, Diana, though I don’t see any pictures of a woman who looks 77..:)
Please wish her a Happy Birthday😊
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Oh George, I hope mom reads this comment! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
Jennifer's Journal said:
Diana, this is lovely writing straight from your heart. Happy Birthday to your mom. ❤️
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Jennifer – wish I was there to celebrate with her. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jennifer's Journal said:
I would feel the same way. 😕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alan A. Malizia: Contagious Optimism! Co-Author said:
Diana,
Thanks for allowing me to get to know your mom. I see a lot in her that was a great part of what I fondly remember of my mom. It is a resume for motherhood; selfless, sacrificing, caring, loving and an endearing smattering of fun. Should any woman satisfy these qualifications; hire immediately! For no greater occupation that benefits humankind is there than motherhood. A father is said to be the head of a family. But a mother is its heart. No better balance is there than that.
-Alan
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
What a lovely sentiment Alan – thank you! <d
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alan A. Malizia: Contagious Optimism! Co-Author said:
You are welcome, Diana. And a blessed Christmas to you and your family.
-Alan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Louise Gallagher said:
happy birthday to your mother Diana! what a beautiful tribute to the woman who raised such an amazing daughter!
Hugs
Looking forward to getting together later today — we can celebrate the woman who gave birth to the amazing, wonderful, incredible you! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
dianasschwenk said:
I’m looking forward to seeing you too! 5pm right?
LikeLike
Louise Gallagher said:
Yes! 5pm — I have a coffee meeting at Analog at 3 so will walk over from there. 🙂
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
I’m soooooooooo EXCITED!
LikeLike
vanbytheriver said:
What a beautiful tribute to your lovely mother, Diana. I relate to so much of this. Especially the Saturday cleaning boot camp. (As an adult in rebellion, I rarely clean on Saturdays). She fed you cake with a vitamin. Perfect. I understand why she might not want that celebration this year. Blessings to you, and to her. xox
LikeLiked by 1 person
dianasschwenk said:
Yes. I’ve never liked eating breakfast and mom just wanted me to have something in my stomach. The vitamin made up for the fact that it was cake, maybe? ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
cyclingrandma said:
How lovely to do as a letter. Great photos. Happy Birthday to your mother!
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Lisa! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
Denise Hisey said:
Sounds like you have a lot of fond memories to look back on together. The slideshow is a beautiful glimpse into yesteryear… And not so long ago too. Thanks for sharing, Diana!
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Denise. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike