Dear Mom,

Today is my mother's 50th birthday!!!!! I'm sure she's glad I've told the whole inter-verse now :) I wish I could be in the US to celebrate, but clearly as the blog states, I'm not. However, I would like to put in writing, the amazing being that is my mother.

My mother is somewhat of a mystery. I've watched CSI and the X-Files, but to no avail. I can't quite figure her out. If I could go back in time, I would like to meet her as a teenager. When I ask her what she was like then, she just says nerdy with bad hair. I think she also mentioned Donny Osmond (I forgive her).

Whether she was abducted by aliens or the government implanted a micro chip into her brain, I'll never be sure. But what I do know, is that she has the unremarkable ability to put up with all of my shit (sorry mom, I said shit) (twice). I never had realistic dreams as a child. Figure skater, Spice Girl, Drink-Vodka-And-Play-Scrabble'r (not a real job?).... No matter where the path seems to take me, or if I'm trail blazing a path of my own, the only person to completely question my judgement and still see me off to God knows where, has been my mother.

You might say, aren't mother's supposed to do that? And I might tell you to go back to la la land. Because the truth is, as rosy as we can paint the picture, family is never perfect. I'm lucky to have a mother who has trusted me to make my own decisions and has never held me back. She accepted the person I am (a nut) and even when she knew I was wrong, she let me make my own mistakes. For that, I'm forever grateful.

She did things that one day I'll do for my children. Like pull me out of kindergarten at lunchtime to go dress shopping. And throw the best birthday parties, scavenger hunt and potato sack race included. She also did things that she's probably forgotten she did. Like putting all of my sisters and I into the "tornado cabinet" first, then running around to find the cat, putting the cat inside, then going for the birdcage, whilst the sirens blaring. And she had the best tasting Coca-Cola. If I poured a glass for myself and a glass for my mom, hers always tasted better. She also has a heart. A heart that doesn't care if you're gay, straight, or a McCain supporter. She welcomed my gays into our house with a plate full of food and a smile.

I can't tell her much about getting older, or growing up, or whatever you're supposed to say on a birthday. But I can tell her that everyday, I try to take steps in the right direction to make her proud. I've made some big shoes for myself to fill and I know I tell her all the time, but I will.

So Mom, this past year has been a turning point in your life and I'm really happy with who you've become. That's weird to say, being your daughter, but we're always evolving. A marriage, a move, a new job, and a few weddings in the works. I'd say you've done a pretty good job.

Happy Birthday Mom :)

Love,

Cassie Jean