Celebrations: The Queen Mother's 80th Birthday

Sorry there has been such a lapse in posts of late, but my Mom...aka The Queen Mother...was out for her annual royal visit.  In the past, she has visited between Thanksgiving and Christmas to partake in holiday spirit while avoiding the airport craziness, but health issues made a trip a couple months ago impossible.  As a result, it was decided she would fly out the first week of March to celebrate her 80th birthday with us in L.A.

The birthday fairy must have waved her magic wand because all the candles on the cake aligned perfectly for Mom's visit during which she found herself on TV, reconnected with family, dined with wonderful new friends who might as well be family, and met the newest addition to the family.

My Mom is loved by all.  She has a sharp mind, a keen wit, and a youthful exuberance which only seems to grow with time.  I was so proud of her in 2008 when she called to let me know she was volunteering for Barack Obama's campaign manning the phones.  Most people her age are lucky to manage normal daily tasks let alone set out to be a part of an historic election. 

She is known for her "Bettyisms".....a term coined by my stepdaughter, Nicole....to mean any one of a number of old-fashioned expressions, words of wisdom, or adages.  I grew up with them.  "Life isn't a dress rehearsal", "The world is your oyster", "Take time to smell the roses", etc.  Nicole always gets a chuckle when she hears them.

Mom also has a penchant for wacky socks.  Her collection is extensive and encompasses every holiday, season, color, and pattern imaginable.  One year I gave her a pair for Christmas with holiday lights that lit up when they moved.  She said she just about had a heart attack whenever she opened the drawer and they started blinking.

She refers to herself as "a tough old bird", takes pride in being able to do what many women her age cannot, and loves to use the rallying cry, "just do it", when things get dicey or seem too difficult.  For years she told me I wore too much black and should branch out and wear more "colorful" clothes like those that reside in her closet.  I still wear black....she still wears colors.

My best friend, Kathy, from whom I was probably separated at birth and is now an adopted member of the family found what turned out to be the most perfect gift for our Queen Mum.  The tiara, emblazoned with "it's my 80th birthday", took up residence on Mom's head for the better part of the birthday weekend festivities.  I even have a photo of her sleeping in it.

My Mom is an amazing woman and I love her dearly.  I am such a lucky woman to have grown up with her as a mother, role model, cheerleader, provider, ally, and best friend.  Happy Birthday, Mom.....and many, many, many more!

The Queen Mother