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Salamander
Fire Walking

Today would have been
Sat Mar 16 2002

my mother's 80th birthday. I'm sitting here with my first cup of tea of the day, musing on this. It's a strange thing, the remembrance of the birthday for one who has died. There's still cause for celebration, but I'm not sure the proper form the celebration should take. Going to the cemetary with a gardenia (if I could even find one; that and sweat peas were her favorite flowers) seems more of an observance of her death than a celebration of her life. I think I'll be settling in with a box of old pictures later today.

My family hasn't a drop of Irish blood in it, so far as I know. My father's side traces back to the Isle of Man, which I suppose is close, but doesn't really count. My mother's side was pure English (from her father) and pure German (from her mother) though. Still, because her birthday was one day off from St. Patrick's Day, my mother always declared that she must have some Irish blood in her somewhere. She always (well, usually) rooted for the Fighting Irish, she loved Irish music, and she had a few pieces of Belleek china that she treasured. I remember getting her a Belleek cup and saucer for her forty sixth birthday. They're sitting in my china hutch now. ACfH managed to get her paws on them a few times before I purchased the hutch, but they are still intact.

Huh. I just realized. Forty-six. I'm forty-six now. The age my mother was when I gave those to her. I literally just now realized this as I'm typing this entry.

I'm using the wrong cup for my tea. I've never been able to bring myself to use the Belleek. This entry is ending early. I need to make a fresh cup of tea, in a new cup.

13 Comments
  • From:
    Lilith (Legacy)
    On:
    Sat Mar 16 2002
    46 is a grand age to be.

    Go ahead and use the Belleek.
  • From:
    Franny (Legacy)
    On:
    Sat Mar 16 2002
    have a beautiful cup of tea Ms. Salamander.
  • From:
    Greensparkles (Legacy)
    On:
    Sat Mar 16 2002
    Happy Birthday Momma
  • From:
    NooNoo (Legacy)
    On:
    Sat Mar 16 2002
    Sounds confusing, the age thing and everything. I hope you have a good time looking at those old photos. *Hug*

    cur
  • From:
    AussieDeafMan (Legacy)
    On:
    Sun Mar 17 2002
    If you don't use the china, the glaze will crack.
    Perhaps your mother would have wanted you to enjoy the things she did.
    I am 55 and my mother is 82 and still going strong(?), well..still going anyway.
    If I had her tea cups, she'd want me to use them.
    Still, everyone has ther own ways.
    _|m/ ADM
  • From:
    Jade (Legacy)
    On:
    Sun Mar 17 2002
    Enjoy the tea, photographs and memories.
  • From:
    Franisbueno (Legacy)
    On:
    Sun Mar 17 2002
    I have special china from my great grandmother. In honor of her, I use it on special holidays or occasions. It seems like a nice way to remember her, and bring up good memories.

    Enjoy your tea and photos!

    ~fran
  • From:
    MoonriddenGirl (Legacy)
    On:
    Sun Mar 17 2002
    Hear, hear. Using that cup sounds like a good way to honor her, and your relationship with her. Cheers.
  • From:
    BarnacleBoo (Legacy)
    On:
    Sun Mar 17 2002
    I liked this entry. My mother was all Irish, my dad, half Irish. After I read your entry (sipping tea, myself), I pulled out a little Belleek china bell I'd given my mother. It has shamrocks on it.

    I think I'll keep it out for awhile. ;)

    xo
    Boo
  • From:
    Slipperman (Legacy)
    On:
    Sun Mar 17 2002
    i'm, too, having a cup of tea, sal, and yesterday (mar 16), was my father's birthday. i doubt he has any irish blood......his mother's name was 'dotson' and his father's was 'smedley,' which i've read is english for 'one who lives on smooth ground???? at any rate, happy birthday to our parents. i called pa and got his voicemail, so i said 'i'm callling for the 56 year old in the house. i realize that you may be having some trouble getting to the phone, so when you do, give me a call back.' lol.

    cheers.
  • From:
    Sezrah (Legacy)
    On:
    Mon Mar 18 2002
    i never thought to continue marking my mothers birthdays after her passing, she would have turned 53 this year i think
    may your day be filled with smiles and memories to warm the soul

    sez
  • From:
    TaoJones (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Mar 21 2002
    A lovely entry. i agree, use the Belleek.
  • From:
    Froggy (Legacy)
    On:
    Sun Mar 24 2002
    Beautiful entry.

    froggy