thanks, mom

Septembers must have been hard on my parents, with back to school expenses and tuitions and 5 of their 7 children having birthdays between Sept. 4 and Oct. 4, and annual life insurance premiums to pay for each of us! I like to think they found some joy among all the worry. In my child's mind I was aware only of feeling secure and surrounded by family. I was delighted to hear I'd have a new baby in the house near my birthday when I'd turn twelve and set to work asking for a sister as soon as I heard the news. Lucky me when Terri was born. Three years later the last baby was added to the mix. By then I had a  better idea of how hard my parents worked to keep us all going, how we each were required to do our share, but through it all with love.
Well, today is my special day. I'm at our city house and will spend part of today with Jerome, Phil, and his friend, Kelly. The weather doesn't look promising for Goebberts and pumpkin buying, but whatever we do I will find it lovely.
Since my birthday is 9/25,  I've always had a secret hope that I was conceived on Christmas Eve or day in a spirit of celebration. Though mom's been gone for 8 years now, I still sometimes begin to think of what thank you gift to give her as my birthday approaches, as was my habit in her lifetime. This year I'll just think thankful thoughts throughout the day and think on birthdays past.