Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is Mom's birthday. She is 78 years old.

 My father had his birthday three days ago on October 17 and he turned 84.

They have some health issues but overall they are doing well. They still go to church every Sunday together and that blesses me. That is really the only place that Dad goes except to my sister's when she is cooking dinner for a special occasion.

Their anniversary is on Oct 29 and they will be married for 53 years.

 Needless to say October is a busy month in our family and these aren't the only special days! 

 I thought I would share some early photographs of Mom in honour of her today.

This is my Mom and my uncle, her twin brother.

This is Mom and me. We are approximately the same age. Striking resemblance don't you think?

 

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This is Mom with three of her brothers in school.

This is all of Mom's brothers and sisters plus an extra. There were 9 siblings.

Mom was born in Holland. This photograph was taken during WW2. You can see the wooden shoes they're all wearing.

Here she is as a very young lady. Not sure how old she is here. (20, 21?)

Mom trained as a nurse in Holland. I love the picture of her.

Here is Mom with her best friend who was also my Godmother. She passed away quite awhile ago from breast cancer leaving behind a husband and four young boys.

I think she is beautiful!

This is my grandmother. Mom's mother. She passed away four days after giving birth to twins and Mom was four years old.

 

Sometimes when a young girl grows up without a mother she can struggle in that role of "mother". All I can say is that I am very grateful that I grew up with a mother who loved me, sacrificed, worked hard always, loved her husband, and her Heavenly Father.

Mom was a mom and all that that embodies.

You would never have known that she grew up without a mother. I have learned so much from her.

 I find myself doing a lot of the same things for my son that she did for me, and I do them simply because I am his Mom.

I live three hours away from my parents and every time I get home Mom wants me to call to let her know I got home safe. I'm glad that I have a Mom that I can call to tell her so.

August 1961

This is Mom and I a few years ago. I love this picture and I love my mother.

Happy Birthday Mom!

 

Blessings, Diane