happy birthday, mom!

Mom and me

My mom, a.k.a. The Cute Tomato, turns 85 today.

She has always been my biggest cheerleader (she joined Facebook just so she could “like” all my posts) so I thought I would turn the tables today and rave about her for a few minutes.

My mom is so much fun, and she’s up for anything. We volunteered at World Book Night together the past two years, we’ve taken spa weekends with my sister to celebrate our three January birthdays and, when I got tickets to see Katie Couric in LA, she did this to get us to the front of the line.

Mom holding Katie sign

which naturally resulted in this:

1Iota Tweet

You see, everyone thinks my mom is adorable but she calls it like it is and pooh-poohs the idea that she’s sweet. In fact, she does that about our whole family.Ā “What about me?” asked my horrified daughter one day. “You’re s-w,” my mom answered in what is now a classic line. We are all striving to get to “s-w-e …” but will probably never make it all the way to “s-w-e-e-t.”

My mom is all about family — and we’re all about her. She is the cool grandma who not only knits afghans and bakes treats to send her grandchildren, but is up on the latest books, music and movie so she can talk to them about the things they’re interested in. She also kicks ass at Wii Boxing and has knocked out a few of us.

Do not call my mom on Sunday night when Downton Abbey is on because she won’t answer the phone. She and my dad binge watched the first four seasons and are now hooked. My mom’s name may be Edith but her favorite character is Anna. And — SPOILER ALERT! — don’t be surprised to see her as the Dowager’s BFF later in the season.

Mom & Maggie Smith
Thank you to my s-w daughter, Sara, for creating this.

My mom is up on what all of my friends are doing, and she often reads, comments and “likes” their blog posts. Because of this, many of them have sent her friend requests on Facebook which she won’t accept because she’s worried she will spend too much time on the computer, socializing. Don’t take it personally. She only has two Facebook friends — my sister and me — and she makes me laugh so hard when she wonders why my newsfeed is so much more interesting than hers.

She is my most loyal reader, calling me to see why I haven’t posted yet (“Your fans are waiting,” she has said!) or emailing me with an urgent message when she catches a typo in one of my posts. I adore her for doing both.

I hope you’ll leave a happy birthday message here for her because she reads every single comment. Ā I’m thinking of asking her to be my social media assistant.

Meanwhile, I’m just grateful she’s my mom and that I get to celebrate her 85th birthday with her over lunch today.

I love her more than I sometimes show, and in my heart, am always doing this:

Baby Lois and Mom

66 thoughts on “happy birthday, mom!

  1. Happy Birthday to The Cute Tomato! Hope she spends it with the family who clearly loves and admires her. Lucky you! (I agree with your mom that Anna is the best character and sometimes in the bathroom I try to sound like her.)

  2. Happy birthday to Lois’ mom! I loved reading about all the fun things you do with and for Lois. She’s kind of neat, isn’t she?! I’m trying to talk her into visiting me some time…encourage her, won’t you?! šŸ™‚

  3. Happy birthday, Miss Edith!! (I LOVE your name, btw!!) Lois is your spitting image, physically and in her determination, spunk, and, yes, even s-w-e…!

    Happy Happy Happy Birthday!

  4. That’s an amazing tribute to your mom, Lois, thanks for sharing it. What a beautiful, supportive, and fun relationship you share. I can only hope my daughters (currently surly teens) will one day write something even half as positive about me šŸ˜‰

  5. Happy, happy birthday! There’s nothing more precious in life than a loving mom that supports you (oh, maybe a fun, loving mom that supports you)! Sounds like you’re all the way to s-w-e-e šŸ™‚

  6. Ah I love your beautiful relationship with your mom! Cherish that.. My mom and I did not have that so that is probably why I think y’all’s is so wonderful and special.

  7. This is such a cute tribute to your mom. I love the picture of her dressed for Downton Abbey. She sounds like a hoot!

  8. It was so heartwarming to receive birthday greetings from my old and new friends. It was a very happy day and you all added to it. Thank you so much.

  9. What a wonderful, sweet (not s-w-e…) post. šŸ™‚ Happy Birthday to your mom. I saw the picture on Facebook and left a note because you and she share the same beautiful smile!

  10. This is such a wonderful post and story – love your photos and especially the one with your mom and you (as a little girl) – My husband’s mother was like this, just so nice – Big hugs šŸ™‚

  11. Happy Happy Birthday, Edith Alter a/k/a Lois’ incredible mom! You are so amazing, but I’m not surprised. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. (Especially with that Katie sign!)

    Happy Happy Days.

  12. Seriously, your mama rocks! And 85? She looks so much younger. Must be because she is out there living life instead of sitting around like a bump on a log.

  13. Hi Edith & Happy Birthday to You!!!

    Just celebrated my BDay on 20th so it is a rockin’ great month for us January gals … You look fantastic & not a second older than in elegant 50’s photo of You & Lois!!! You are one HOT blessed tomato!!

    Love x0x0x Ashley Roberts

  14. LOL! I can’t believe your mom loves Downton Abbey. Took me a while to watch it but I binge watched it too and really love it. England had a Christmas program that I don’t think we get in the states. So you may want to look it up for her.

  15. What a beautifully sweet post. I lost my mom when I was 20 years old and it always gives me goosebumps when I read something like this. So glad to read how much you appreciate and adore your mom.

    1. I’m so sorry, Fariha. I can’t imagine how hard that must be. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.