Mother Appreciation

Monday, the 29th, is, Ahuva Novak, my wonderful, brave, beautiful Mother's birthday. This is particularly monumental because whilst my mother herself has celebrated many a birthday before I was born, I cannot remember a birthday of hers where I was not around to give her a hug and a sticky homemade card even though that generally stops becoming acceptable after you're 10 years old. Firsts, firsts, firsts! So many firsts in France but this is a new kind of first that has nothing to do with eating mayonnaise or zip-lining in your own backyard. It is the kind of first that forces you to look dead on the facts you do not want to think about and ask yourself crazy, philosophical questions which are only appropriately answered with another question. How do you show someone you're thinking about them when they are 4,000 miles away? How do you convey your appreciation for someone when you are surrounded by a life they are not anywhere near apart of? These questions I have yet to allow myself to dwell on and yet this week they are rather being forced in my face. Somehow having an extra long Skype date with my mother does not seem quite suited for a birthday gift. I think there is a huge gap between being homesick and missing home. Huge. I remember when I was 10 years old and my mom bought me a present on her. She said it was important to give to the people you love on your special day. I remember when my mom picked me up from school early and blind folded me in the car, saying we were going to a special place. On the way we got stopped by a man, asking if I was getting kidnapped, but we don't talk about that part. When we got to the surprise, it was a room in our home with cake and balloons and cookies and music and it wasn't even a special occasion at all. My mom said we were having an I Love You party, a party just because she loved me and there was really no better occasion to have a party, was there? I remember the Strawberry Shortcake themed plates and napkins the most. Never in my life had my mother bought plastic serving things. I remember when i had been at sleepover camp in California for a month. My mom was in Colorado doing work and I was fully expecting my cousin to pick my up from camp that day. Well guess who surprised me at camp with a bundle of flowers? I remember the first time I went on a date with a boy that could drive. When he came inside, she politely asked to see his drivers license and calmly said with a smile, "If anything happens to her I'll have to come after you, you know that, right?" At the time I was mortified but now I think it's the greatest thing since the spork. That boy wasn't any fun, anyways. And the little things pile up just as significantly. Things I didn't even bother thinking about before. The first two basketball practices I had I almost died of thirst because there was no one to remind me seven times not to forget my water-bottle. If France has given me anything, it is an entirely different perspective of everything. No big deal. Happy birthday, Mom <3