Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Happy 60th Mama!

Today is my mother Wanda's 60th birthday.

I talked to her this morning at 5:00 a.m. - - 6:00 a.m. her time. That's when she gets up to go to work.

I told her I loved her and sang a quick "Happy Birthday" to her.

This picture is the first picture ever taken of my mother and me.

It was taken the day I was born and was on the front page of the Knoxville News Sentinel the day after I was born.

You see, my mother gave birth to me on the same day that her sister gave birth to my cousin.

In the same hospital. By the same doctor and nurses.

The article was entitled "Sisters Harmonize on Births."

It was a relatively small town at the time and and we were big news.

On Saturday, I'm flying back home. I get to spend some time with my father and then he is driving me to my mother's house.

My mother thinks that I am the only one who is going to be celebrating her birthday, but my brother is driving up from Atlanta Saturday to surprise her and join us for dinner.

Then Sunday, my brother and I have planned a huge surprise party at my aunt's house for my mom. Her family, friends and co-workers are all meeting at my aunt's house to celebrate Mama's 60th and to let her know how much she is loved.

And she is loved. Deeply. Especially by me.

P.S. Don't worry about my mother finding this blog entry and having it ruin her surprise. The closest thing Mama has to a computer at her place is my old Atari 2600!!

33 comments:

Michael said...

Send her my love....and your brother too while you're at it. ;)

Stephen R. said...

Michael - I will!!! Thank you.

You know, Jeff is single... :)

Anonymous said...

Mama , will be so Happy and surprised ! How Lucky for her to have such handsome son's who want to be there to celebrate with her ! Now if she could just get you both married , so she wouldn't have to worry so much about you both ! : )

Michael said...

So am I....since 1994......

Stephen R. said...

Babe Paley - Trust me, we're both working on the marriage part!! And so is Mama!!!

Michael - See? You're perfect for Jeff!!!!

Anonymous said...

Now Mr. Rader , just a helpful word of advice on the marriage subject. My Mama always told me and I quote her on this

" Babe , if your giving the milk away for free, nobody ever wants to buy the cow! "

Now it took me years to figure out that I was the Cow in that story and believe me I gave alot of milk away in my younger years , just thinking about it make me smile !!! Shit!

Stephen, you and Jeff & Mama just stay single , it the best time of your lives !! Have a GREAT time celebrating , Your Mama , looks like a sweet , sweet Lady !

Stephen R. said...

Babe - I'm in love with you!!!

My mama told me the EXACT same thing, and I'll agree with you - - it was hard when I realizee that the cow in the story was ME!!!

And you're right - - Mama is a sweet, sweet Lady!!!!

Now, how do I get to your blog, Ms. Paley? Or will there be a link on Mr. Capote's blog that I can follow? :)

Anonymous said...

Was it such an easy birth that she didn't mess up her hair? HOW DID SHE _DO_ THAT?!?!? ANYhoo, my warmest congrats to your Mama. She is going to be royally surprised! Then there was some conversation about being single...and farming...I got lost...

Stephen R. said...

Master Aaron - There is so much Aqua Net in that hairdoo, it won't EVER move.

Or it could be that Mama had the same delivery that Joan Rivers talked about on her comedy album, WHAT BECOMES A SEMI-LEGEND MOST...

As Auntie Joan said, "I had a Jewish delivery. The knock you out with the first pain and wake you when the hairdresser shows."

Anonymous said...

What a great thing you are doing for Mama's birthday! She'll be tickled pink. Many happy returns to Wanda. Maybe you could video her singing again! :)

Stephen R. said...

Karen - Don't think I won't try!!!!!

Maybe I'll take a few clips at the party for YouTube. Who knows. :)

Polt said...

What a wonderful birthday gift all that will be! And ya know, if Jeff's single, well...he doesn't HAVE to be...

Just sayin...

HUGS....

Aaron said...

Best to you and your mama, Stephen! Moms rock, don't they? :-) I'm going to see mine this weekend, too. Have a great time!

Stephen R. said...

Polt - True, but hey - - I'M SINGLE!!!! And I was gay first!!!! :)

Aaron - We're on our mom trips this weekend! I love it!!! Have a great time!!

Michael said...

Back off Polt.....I called it first.... ;)

Stephen R. said...

Cat fight over my brother!!! WOOHOO!!! I love it!!

Anonymous said...

You Clever,Clever Boy ! Babe , loves you also, but sad to say my darling, where I am, you can not follow ..... Keep blogging !

Polt said...

Michael, let's not quibble over Jeff...let's FIGHT! That way, I can lose and Stephen can comfort me so, yeah you can have Jeff....but I'll have Stephen.

And then maybe later, Michael, you and me can trade? :)

HUGS...

Stephen R. said...

Babe - Where you are, I cannot follow, huh? Well, I look forward to hearing more for you - - and hopefully finding a way to follow your socialite brilliance in all it's glory!!!!

Polt - Now you're talkin'!!!!! I love it when fight over me!!! I feel so Scarlett O'Hara!!

Kristie said...

Poor timing on my part I will be in Knoxville the following weekend. For our cousins wedding, my dads sister April's son; just for clarification your mama will know who.

Tell your mama happy bday for me, hope you guys have a blast!
Make sure to tell Jeff I'm still here a few miles from him if he ever wants a home cooked southern meal.

Anonymous said...

Happy BDay to your Mom.

PS. You didn't have any hair when you were born either, did you! :)


dollar
Chicago

Stephen R. said...

Kristie - Well, damn!!! One week and we'd see each other in K-Town!!! I will pass on the invitation to Jeff, but if he doesn't accept, I'll take you up on it the next time I'm in Atlanta!!!

dollar - Nope! I was born bald and only "lucked into hair" for a few measly years. But as my Daddy says, "Grass don't grow on a playground!" :)

Jeremy Rizza said...

What a nice surprise for your mom! And I love all those family sayings. It sounds like you come from a real "cast of characters."

Trevor Messersmith said...

happy birthday wanda!

Anonymous said...

Tell your mama happy birthday for me.

Anonymous said...

please tell your mama happy birthday for me and mike, we look forward to seeing her again when we head her way to go to dollywood.

Anonymous said...

Awwww...happy birthday Mama!! Y'all look such a happy family!

xo

BirdMadGirl said...

Awwww! Happy Bday to your momma :) :)

*such handsome men she created there ;) I know I'm just a girl and I won't get very far, but can I get in the cat fight too? hehe

Michael said...

Well, well, well Polt.......that is brilliance. MORTAL KOMBAT (without, you know, the killing part.....)

Anonymous said...

All this scrapping over a couple of boys...WANDA is the CATCH!

Stephen R. said...

Blockade Boy - Trust me, my life is somehow being written by Tennessee Williams. It's Southern Gothic to the hilt! And I love it!!

T$ & Dana - Thank you! Mama will love all the "Happy Birthdays"

PunkAndy - Either that or when the three of you are on DEAL OR NO DEAL!! :)

Shirley - Well, we have our moments, but yes, we are happy and we love each other a great deal.

Valyna - I may be a Kinsey Six, but I have a feeling you and I would DEFINITELY... ahem... "hit it off!"

Michael - All's well that ends with sex.

Master Aaron - Be careful what you say! You know she's had her eye on you for a LONG time!!

RAD said...

Moms are the BEST!! Have fun at Moms and Happy B day Mom! cute pic too!! You are a swell looking grp!!!

Stephen R. said...

Rad Homo - Why thank you, kind Sir!!! I relish the compliment! I'm looking forward to being back home for a few days.