Wednesday, March 25, 2009

When I Am 62.

When I am 62 I will travel with my friends, just because.

When I'm 62 I will spend an entire day getting lost in a good book.

If, when I am 62, Libbey calls to ask if I'll send her a couple of jars of Blue Plate, I'll have those sacred jars in the mail that very day. (Because we only eat Blue Plate in this seriously southern family! And if you don't know what Blue Plate is...we'll you're not from the deep south!)

When I am 62 I will make gorgeous handmade cards for my grandchildren, instead of buying them at Walmart.

If, when I am 62, Caroline becomes the mother of a daughter, I will pass down to her the newborn gowns worn by her grandmother, her mother, and Caroline herself.

When I am 62 I will spend the night in the hospital room of a frightened friend, so that she is not alone.

If, when I am 62, my husband desires to take a road trip on the motorcycle, I'll gladly play along...even though I'd rather go by convertible!

When I am 62 I will build sandcastles on the beach with my children and grandchildren, rather that sit under an umbrella.

If, when I am 62, my daughters ask me to stay with them after they've given birth and/or endured major surgery, I will be at their sides for as long as they'll have me.

If, when I am 62, Libbey or Caroline longs to take a Caribbean cruise with two of her favorite girlfriends, I'll happily keep their children so they can vacation guilt and stress-free.

When I am 62 I will take my grandchildren for visits to Mississippi and Louisiana, for that's where our heritage begins.

When I am 62 I will insist that my daughters watch every season of Moonlighting and Designing Women. They just don't make good programming like they used to.

If, when I am 62, Libbey begs me to see Keith Urban in concert with her, "Just one more time!" I'll happily go. That is, if Keith is still performing live when I'm 62. He'll be 69. (That's what she said.)

If, when I am 62, my children and grandchildren beg me to plummet down an enormous, inflatable slide, I will do it.

I hope my kids will take a picture of me, too. Just like this one.

When I am 62 I pray that I'm exactly like my mother, Mary Elizabeth Raley Roth, better known as "Pinky" and "Mamaw Pinky." (Yes, that's her in the picture above, taken November 2008.)

Happy 62nd birthday, (a day late!) Mama! Thanks for being my best friend, and the best grandmother and mother-in-law in the world. We all love you very much. And the girls can't wait to see you slide again in a couple of weeks!

p.s. I'm so honored to be flapping my big mouth over at Angie's today! Head on over to Seven Clown Circus to read about my close encounter with a very famous southern lady whom I now like to regard as my close, personal friend.

44 comments:

a Tonggu Momma said...

As long as you don't wear a red hat while doing all of that... :)

Heather said...

Pass the tissues, please!!

Tiffany said...

Okay, the fact that you got an Office reference and my blog into this post makes me want to make out with you RIGHT NOW.

Please know I think of you everyday and can't wait to hit the ocean blue with you.

And a Tonggu Momma just made me pee myself.

Kristina P. said...

That last picture totally made me laugh out loud.

Kristen said...

Happy, happy Birthday to your Mom! : )

Kimber B Photography said...

Happy Birthday Lula's Mama!!

That is a seriously funny photo.

scrappysue said...

62 sounds like the best age EVA!!!

April said...

Your mom sounds like she's a blast...Happy Birthday to her!

I just read your post over at Angie's...you met and chatted with THE Paula Deen? You lucky duck! How fun is that? Love your picture with her and Michael! I bet it was a hoot talking to them! I live just outside of Atlanta...why can't I have that kind of luck? I didn't know she was a smoker! I'm really surprised by that!

Amy said...

You are a lucky girl! What a wonderful mother you have. Happy Birthday to her!

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh. This made me cry. It was so beautiful. Moms are the absolute best. This was such a wonderful tribute. I love her and I don't even know her : ). Happy Birthday to your Mama!

Aunt Julie said...

Happy Birthday, MawMaw...did Paula Deen send you a card?

Amy said...

Your mom is so cool, Happy Happy Birthday to HER!!

Oh and I know what Blue Plate is...cuz I am from Way Deep South! :)

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

How is it that I didn't know Blue Plate was a southern thing. I guess it's probably because I haven't shopped in grocery stores around the US :-)

Your mom sounds alot like my mom. Except for the slide. And getting down in the sand. She might not ever recover from those things.

And I didn't know you were going on a cruise. How fun. I am still sad that we missed ours in February...

Caroline said...

That picture made me laugh out loud. Your mom is awesome. My mom is too and I think she would and has done many of those things you listed.

Nothin' like a mom to make things better.

Angie's Spot said...

Your mom is so cool! I hope I'm that cool when I'm 62 too!

SunshineBarlowe.com said...

"Happy Birthday Pinky" :)

And thanks Lula for making me cry this morning..
so sweet.

Live.Love.Eat said...

I just love this tribute to your mom! Happy Birthday to your Mamaw Pinky!!!!!! I am sure you will be like this when you're 62!

Ash said...

So wonderful - Happy Birthday Mamaw Pinky!

Now I'm in the mood for a Blue Plate sammich and a Moonlighting marathon.

Bring. It. On!

Amy said...

What a great post. I loved it. You did a wonderful job at Angie's today. Have a great day.

Denise Grover Swank said...

Happy belated birthday to Pinky!!! What a sweet tribute to your mama!

Anonymous said...

That was a great post for your Mama :)

Loved your guest post over at Angie's. I am gonna have to follow you now, cuz girl you are funny :)

Brandy said...

Happy Birthday Pinky! Man I wish I had a cool nickname like you guys...

And why you gotta go and call me out since I have no clue what Blue whatchamalcallit is and yet I claim to be "southern". Dang. Give a Virginian girl a break.

Virginia is for lovers Lula.

KatBouska said...

Oh. my. goodness.

I LOVE mamaw!!!

I want one!!!

Elena said...

That picture is a CLASSIC!! So great. What a great Grammy your kids have. Happy birthday to you mom!

Pinky Roth said...

Thanks for the wonderful tribute to me in honor of my birthday! I was in tears when I read about half way through this...you make me sound like a saint, which I am far from as you know! One request...you could have posted a better picture of me??? I know we will have a blast when you visit in a couple of weeks...I can hardly wait to see you and the girls. Thanks dear daughter for such a wonderful tribute to me...I will always cherish those sweet comments you made!

Love,

Mom

Heather said...

I have never met her, but I love your momma. The fact that she likes my cards is reason enough, but the fact that she raised such an awesome daughter is reason more.

Hope you have a great time together next month!

April said...

Happy Birthday Miss Pinky! You know......you always have an open invitation from Mississippi!

Jen said...

What a wonderful woman and I so want to go down that slide now and at 62.

Anonymous said...

What a great post!Happy Birthday Mamaw Pinky!

sassy stephanie said...

What a fun post. Happy Birthday Pinky!

Gina said...

When We are 62, let's party together.

CaraBee said...

I hope that when I am 62 I am lucky enough to have the kind of relationship with my daughter that you obviously have with your mama.

Happy Birthday Pinky! (a day late)

Jenny and the Princess Peonies said...

She shares a Birthday with my baby! Yesterday was Adyson's Birthday too!

You sound like you have an AWESOME mom!! Happy Birthday Pinky!!

Swirl Girl said...

My mom would never , NEVER, have gone down an inflatable slide! Even when she was 42 , 52, or 62!

Good on ya Lula's MOM!

Happy Birthday!

Ashley said...

Happy Birthday, Mamaw Pinky!

Jenni said...

What an AWESOME mom! Happy birthday to her!

Marrdy said...

Happy Birthday Pinky! What a wonderful daughter you have!

ChefDruck said...

That is an incredible picture! Such a funny story about Paula Deen - she seems like she is as wonderful in person as on TV! Thanks for sharing and glad to have found you from your guest post.

Shannon said...

Even though I've lived in the South for over 20 years... I had to click on the link to see what Blue Plate was! I've never heard of it!

Please say you still love me.


And your Pinky is one rockin' Mamaw. That picture is priceless!

Jennifer P. said...

Oh Lula--how I've missed you! This was such a great tribute to your mama and the kind of mama she's taught you to be. Let me catch up on your blog, then I'll pop on over to Angie's!

Mariah said...

My mom too! She turned 66 on the 23rd and I need to post something for her.

Mama Dawg said...

It killed me living in Florida for the last few years I was there because they DIDN'T HAVE BLUE PLATE!!!!

We had my grandmother ship it to us.

For real. No joke.

I have an excellent pic somewhere of the factory in NOLA. That big old Blue Plate sign was just awesome.

Mama Dawg said...

Happy Birthday Mamaw Pinky!

Unknown said...

Happy birthday to your mama

When I'm 62 (and you're 71) I will come visit and bring 12 bottles of red wine and we'll drink them all. And Nikki can come too and Lauren (although we can make fun of her since she'll still be in her 50s)