Since it’s definitely not my mom’s birthday, this is definitely not a reflection about a pretty cool person. But she is, a pretty cool person, I mean. And I’m not just saying that because she’s my mom, if you knew her you’d think she’s pretty cool too. Even in high school, when she says she was a nerdy band geek, she was actually first chair clarinet, part of the varsity basketball team, and was an artist, as well as a writer. My mom doesn’t think she can draw that well but the mural in my grandparents basement would tell a different tale. Like I said, she’s a pretty cool person (all my friends think so).

I would not be sitting here writing this if it was not for my mom. She is where I get my love of writing, something I can’t even begin to imagine being without. I would not be the person I am without my mother. I would not be the feminist I am today without my mother reminding me that I am as worthy as any man out in the world. I would not be in the college that I am with the bountiful career choices that I have without my mother pushing me in high school. I would not have the love of reading and books without my mother reading to me when I was younger (though she didn’t do the different character’s voices like my dad). I would not have seen half the places I have without my mother planning each vacation to fit every last thing in. I would not have a love of music without my mother encouraging me in fourth grade to play the saxophone then making a deal with me in ninth grade to stop the saxophone if I started piano (I didn’t end up stopping sax but did learn the piano). And actually, my family wouldn’t have our “Quote Board” (a compilation of out of context quotes from our family members) without her suggesting it because it was what she did in college with her friends.

When I was younger she’d always make me come out of the dressing room when we went shopping to show her the clothes I was trying on because I didn’t have the best fashion taste when I was 10. Now almost 20, whenever I go shopping it’s a little strange to think when I walk out her smiling or disapproving face is not there and sometimes I wish she was there to help me. Not just with clothes but life too. You have no idea how often when I’m away at college I want to turn to her and say “Mother, is this a good idea?” But even though I have to learn to live life without constantly seeing and talking to her, I know I can still call her up and discuss anything from school work to politics to the last episode of ‘Marco Polo’.

Happy totally-not-your-birthday, sis.