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3.29.2012

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL MOTHER


dear mom,

the other night before i went to bed i stayed up late reading a parenting book on the couch. it was about a woman living in france and how she'd noticed that french children were better behaved than american children. she says it has to do with the french mothers, who they have higher standards for patience and manners in their children than us americans. they make it their number one priority to teach their kids to be polite and have manners, and then they make sure they have plenty of time for themselves and a rich life outside of motherhood. the author was somewhat enchanted by this. parents might not exist just to spoil their kids or to raise "the best?" WHO KNEW.

at one point in the beginning i started smiling and didn't stop until the last page. i couldn't help myself. apparently france is full of julie lovins. mom, you are so trendy right now.

growing up i knew you were something special. i could tell by how you dressed, by how you gave attention to others, and by how you cultivated yourself as a priority in the middle of raising us girls. i knew there was more to you than "just my mom." and because of it i knew that when you wanted something of me, it was something worth giving. i knew that what you expected from me was something worth living up to. 

i find myself holding lots of in-depth conversations with mr. henry holbrook these days. sometimes (most times) we're talking about lions or monkeys (they say "wahhh!' and "ah-ah!"), but a lot of the time we're talking about what we expect from him. he's still such a baby, but there's a big, smart boy in there. there is so much more wisdom in that noggin than some might think. i look at him and i think of you, and sometimes i feel a little overwhelmed with the responsibility i have of doing right by him, and of doing right by you, too.  i owe it to all three of us to be the mother i was raised to be.

thank you for always being such a class act. and happy birthday! may there always be twenty pounds of turquoise m&ms from times square for you in your candy bowl.

24 comments:

  1. Nat, this is so sweet. My mom is turning 50 in a few weeks, I hope I'm able to write something half as lovely to her.

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  2. Sounds like you have a wonderful mother! I have no doubt in my mind that you are one too. Xo

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  3. such a beautiful letter. i like how you said you knew there was more to her than 'just mom.'

    happy birthday nat's mom!

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  4. This is so so sweet. Happy Birthday to your mama!

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  5. Beautiful post and I JUST bought that book at Target...I'm about to crack it open right now.

    Happy Birthday to your Mom!

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  6. this is so sweet, it almost brought me to tears!

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  7. this was very sweet natalie. i hope your mother has a wonderful day.

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  8. So beautiful. I struggle with wanting my little man (and my husband) to see me as more than "just mom." It is the best gift I could give myself and my family, but why is so hard?

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  9. love this post. it's so sweet. happy birthday to her!

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  10. This was lovely. Mothers are a blessing.

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  11. What book is this that you speak of???

    ;)

    A very nice way to say thanks to your mother! How gratitude can instantly bring the smile to a mother's face.

    Hope her day was well!

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  12. This is a beautiful post. Your Mum rocks and so do you.

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  13. such an inspiring post. i'm sure the little one will be just everything he wants to be... :-)

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  14. This is so, so, so sweet! Happy birthday Juliemom! (It was my birthday yesterday too! What a great day for a birthday!)

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  15. There is nothing better in life than having a mother you love and adore. You're a lucky girl, and I am a lucky girl and that Huck is pretty lucky too.

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  16. Aw, Happy Birthday to Juliemom! Such a sweet post!

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  17. Love this post--so lovely!

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  18. This post is really beautiful!

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  19. Oh my mom is totally self deprecating.. and her first husband was very abusive. Thankfully my dad is wonderful. Anyway, I struggle with what self confidence means. My mom and I are so close, but confident? probably not. I love your sentiment. It is a unique thing.

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  20. So sweet!
    Happy birthday to your mom.

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  21. Aw, Natalie! Your words are so sweet and made me tear up. Sounds like you're very lucky, your mom sounds kind and fun and strong. Happy birthday Julie!

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  22. what a sweet letter to your mama. i admit, it made me cry. :)

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  23. such a sweet letter!

    i love the part where you said that you knew she was more than "just mom". isn't this such an important example to set? as a mom, i often feel guilty for doing things for myself or that doesn't include my daughter but i have to remember that taking care of myself also sends a valuable message. so glad your mom did that for you.

    happy belated birthday to her!

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  24. Ah, almost made me cry! I'd love to know what book you were reading!

    xo, -Elizabeth

    http://bookofleisure.blogspot.com

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