Happy Birthday, Mama!

my mom I don’t talk about my mom a lot on my blog.  That’s actually kind of odd because my mom is one of the biggest parts of my life.  Although, ironically, we saw each other more when I lived 2 hours away.  Now that we’re 10 minutes away, we both seem to get tied up in the day-to-day shuffle and can go weeks without seeing each other anywhere other than church.  It’s kind of sad, really, ’cause my mom’s teh awesome.  Yes, it’s true.  She is.  Go ahead be jealous.

When I was little, my mom stayed home with me and my brother.  For some reason I don’t remember very many specific details about my childhood(I’m not alone on this; my BFF can’t remember jack-crap from her childhood either.), but I do remember some things.  Still shots, almost.  Like actual little photographs stored away in a filing cabinet somewhere in my brain.  I remember sitting on the floor next to her while she was  folding clothes.  We were watching “Little House On The Prarie“.  That’s it.  That’s all I remember from that event.  Nothing spectacular happened.  No life changing event.  Just folding clothes and watching some Laura Ingles Wilder.

I remember lying on her bed and watching Beverly Hills, 90210 with her as a pre-teen.  It came on after my little brother’s bed time, so it was our special time together.  Sometimes she’d let me stay up and watch Murphy Brown.  (Are you laughing at me?  Don’t laugh.  That show is awesome!)

I remember us going to pick out my prom dress.  That was pre-breast reduction, so finding a dress that fit the lower part of me and the upper part of me was no easy task.

I remember her going back to school to pursue higher education.  (I’m proud to say that she is now a Woman’s Health Nurse Practioner, and a damn good one at that.)  It was hard for her and for all of us, but it set a great example for me.  She, without saying a word, showed me that you can do anything you set your mind to.  And that being a mom doesn’t mean you can’t be anything else.

I remember watching her with her parents, and hoping that she and I would have a relationship like she had with my Nana.

I remember watching her so lovingly care for my Mama Jo, her mother-in-law.  Cooking dinner, opening jars, buttoning buttons, doing things my grandmother just couldn’t do for herself.

My mama has given tirelessly of herself for years.  And she continues to be an amazing mom and an amazing grandmother.

I love watching her with my kids.  I love hearing her sing songs to them that she used to sing to me.

I love watching her scratch Lydia’s back.  And remember how she used to scratch mine when I was a little girl.  And how she’ll still do it now, even without me asking.

I love watching her explain things to Carter.  I love how she doesn’t leave out the little details when she is trying to teach him something.

I love watching her snuggle with Asa.  Sing so softly that only he can hear.

I love how she loves them.  And how she loves me.  And how she loves everyone.

She is giving.  She is kind.  She is patient.  She is full of God’s love, and always wanting to share it with others.

And today, on her birthday, I just want to share her with you.

On the count of three let’s yell happy birthday, m’kay?

One…Two…Three

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

(or just leave a comment below)

22 Responses to Happy Birthday, Mama!
  1. Amber
    September 10, 2009 | 8:18 am

    I agree your mom is “the awesome” so I will join and and yell HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Donyale
    September 10, 2009 | 8:31 am

    I totally agree. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (a little late)

  3. Donyale
    September 10, 2009 | 8:32 am

    Hello! I obviously have not looked at the calendar or facebook – I’m on-time!

  4. RJ Flamingo
    September 10, 2009 | 8:51 am

    Happy Birthday, Bridget’s Mom! Many more happy & healthy years to share with those you love and who love you!

  5. lettergirl
    September 10, 2009 | 9:16 am

    Happy Birthday! Hope your year brings you much laughter and happiness with family and friends!

  6. amy d
    September 10, 2009 | 9:43 am

    Your mom sounds so amazing! You’re blessed to have her.

    Hope you have a fantastic day mama…Wishing you another year of health, wealth, and happiness!

  7. stephanie
    September 10, 2009 | 10:05 am

    Happy birthday Cathy! You are actually THE best WHNP that I have had the pleasure of working with. Plus you are a whole lot of fun. Oh, and you sing really good too! 🙂 You make 40 look fabulous!

  8. Kimberly
    September 10, 2009 | 10:47 am

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I am so glad to have these wonderful Martins in our lives— love you, Cathy!

  9. Tanya
    September 10, 2009 | 10:55 am

    Happy B-day, Cathy. It’s my aunt’s BD today too. I miss ya’ll in choir. When softball and soccer and whatever else is finished (6 yrs maybe?), I’ll be back. Reading all the wonderful things Bridget said about you makes me so glad I have the same type of relationship with my mom too (right down to the pre-reduction dresses and the back scratching – is that weird or what?).

  10. Peapodsquadmom
    September 10, 2009 | 11:25 am

    oh, bridget, you know i loved your mama before i loved you! she is every bit as amazing as you describe beautifully here. happy birthday, cathy! you are so special to our family. ((big hug))

  11. princessjenn
    September 10, 2009 | 11:31 am

    Your mom sounds like the best!
    Happy Birthday to such a special Mom!!

  12. Issa
    September 10, 2009 | 11:38 am

    Bridget, your mom reminds me so freaking much of mine.

    Happy birthday Bridget’s Mama. Your daughter is awesome. I know, because I met her not to long ago. I hope you ave a great birthday.

  13. Laura McCammon
    September 10, 2009 | 11:40 am

    (@mccammon1) Happy birthday to your Mama! She sounds very awesome!!!

  14. Marshall
    September 10, 2009 | 12:58 pm

    Happy Birthday to a great MIL!!

  15. Doug
    September 10, 2009 | 2:00 pm

    Cathy—I had the world’s greatest Mother-in-law, and I often thought how blessed I was to know her. I also often thought how much I wanted my sons to have a wonderful Mother-in-law as well. I’m so thankful that Marshall has a MIL who is so very terrific! Teddy isn’t married (yet) but with Marshall—I certainly got my wish! Happy Birthday to a TERRIFIC lady!

  16. Natalie
    September 10, 2009 | 4:37 pm

    Cathy, you were always there for me when I was growing up and even now. I have always loved how you took what we said as youth as if it was as important as adult stuff. You still listen to me even now. Hope you have a great birthday!

    Natalie

  17. ...angela
    September 10, 2009 | 5:29 pm

    Happy Birthday Cathy! I ditto Doug’s comments on how fortunate Marshall is to have a great mother-in-law and a wonderful grandmother to our grandchildren. Hope your day was as wonderful as you!

  18. Aunt Dianne
    September 10, 2009 | 5:47 pm

    Love you, Cathy Sue!

  19. Tina
    September 10, 2009 | 6:17 pm

    Happy Birthday, Cathy! I hope your birthday is as great as mine was this summer!

  20. Carol
    September 10, 2009 | 8:38 pm

    Happy Birthday, Cathy! You know how much Tony and I love your whole family, and we always wish the very best for all of you. We feel so blessed to be a part of your lives. Love, Carol

  21. Mama
    September 14, 2009 | 4:23 pm

    I am SO blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. Thank you making my birthday very special indeed! I enjoyed a fabulous trip to the beach with my family. Missed Richard 🙂