Happy Christmas Eve Birthday, Mom

And a cute story about her
Today, Christmas Eve, is my mom’s heavenly birthday, #87 if I’m doing my math correctly. She’s been gone since January 2013. For her 75th birthday we had a huge party and all her family and friends came. Weeks later, she was gone. But don’t worry, this isn’t a sad newsletter. It’s a celebration. In fact, here’s my mom at her 75thbirthday party. She had a blast, including swiping her finger through the icing on the cake because it was her day and she could do what she wanted.
This is why, despite my being a Scrooge when it comes to having to decorate, I love Christmas. It makes me remember my mom and think of all the happy times we had together. My mom was my biggest supporter who always encouraged me to follow my dreams. In 2025, I’ll have been a published author for 25 years. I’ll be publishing my 30th book, The Playboy Project, with Harlequin Special Edition. And I’ll be hitting a milestone birthday that will go unmentioned until July. But as a hint, my older daughter will be 30 and she’ll be married 5 years. So lots of milestones for next year
So here’s the story. When my mom was younger she lived in Indiana, and each day she’d run out in the backyard and wave at the passing trains. There was one that came through daily, and the man working the bright red caboose became someone she looked forward to seeing as he always waved back. On December 24, when he came through, he gave her a wave and tossed a huge wrapped box out of the back. Once the train passed, she retrieved the present with the tag addressed “to the girl who waves.” Inside was a beautiful doll. She went rushing back inside the house with doll and wrapping in tow. “Mom, mom!” she called. “How did he know it was my birthday?”
May whatever you celebrate this season, whether it be Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, or Bodhi Day, may your receive blessings, love and kindness. In one final pic, here’s me at Christmas with my mom. We’re on the right and I’m all decked out for the holiday. Nana and my cousin Stacey are on the left, and we’re all with Tiny, my grandfather’s beloved dog. Pop is the one taking the pic.

Happy holidays and Merry Christmas,
Michele