This coming weekend my mom will be celebrating her 84th birthday. For the last 4 years, we have been celebrating that day with a little “girl” time. Today was that day, and we went to a nearby town to have either our fingernails or our toenails done.
The group pictured above consists of my mom, my aunt, two sisters, one sister-in-law, and myself. When we started out doing this four years ago we never realized it would become a tradition…but it has…and it is a wonderful tradition.
We all live within 20 miles of each other, but for some reason do not seem to get together nearly as often as we should. It is good that there are special days to celebrate so that events like these happen.
At this particular outing we caught up with news about a nephew who is hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, learned that a couple pregnant nieces are doing good, a bridal shower was planned and the state of the world (especially our little niche of it) was discussed.
We also added food and nail polish to the mix of fun. My aunt hosted us for lunch, we had our nails done (with design for me of course!), and finished our day off with a snack at the ice cream capitol of the world…Well’s Blue Bunny in LeMars. (where the photo was taken by a very nice bystander).
There is something about gathering with the women in your family that is so very special. There is always lots of reminiscing, lots of catching up on each other’s families, lots of laughter, some eye-rolling over various stories, and generally a great time.
I am finding out that gathering with my family is essential. They hold me accountable, they love me unconditionally, they are always there for me and they make the word mentor come to mind.
I know that if I have anything going on in my life, joyful or otherwise, these are the women I can count on to watch my back. They will laugh with me, (and at me!), they will cry with me and they will pray with and for me. They are a true gift and a blessing.
My prayer is that they all know how very much they mean to me. My prayer also is that each of you has someone like this in your life. Someone who can bless you and who you can bless in return.
Take some time this weekend to connect with those family members that you haven’t spoken with in a while. Reminisce about the things that bond you together. Share your hopes for the future. It will be time well-spent and you will never regret having spent that time together. I am still grinning thinking about our bonding time!
The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches,
but to reveal to him his own.
Benjamin Disraeli
Family is a lot of things;
it’s an anchor in stormy waters and
a blessing throughout the journey.
Sometimes rocky,
but always beautiful,
the relationships shared between family members are
the perfectly imperfect depiction of unconditional love.
Unknown
Great story.
Good advice.
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It was a day filled with contentment.
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Having spent some quality time myself lately, I can totally relate ❤️
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It really is a great way to spend a day…..with those you love and who love you.
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Wonderful post. You remind me that I need to get my daughters and granddaughters together more often, so they know each other, especially the cousins, and can be a support system. It’s why we are going home from Portugal. I miss my family too much to move so far away.
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You are so right…a support system is exactly what family is! And yes….I would be moving back also.
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A nice post Faye. My sisters and I love to have “sister days” – usually a trip to the fabric store and lunch. This coming Tuesday we have lunched planned with 2 sisters, an aunt and uncle from out of state, and another aunt. I am looking forward to it.
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A trip to the fabric store with sisters sounds like a great way to spend a day! Have a wonderful time Ruth with your family.
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Oh you did have a good time. Wonderful and you are blessed.
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It was a great time…tho my mom would not let us pay for our own ice cream! I told my aunt she had better just give up on paying for her own as Mom usually will win that type of conversation LOL.
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Seems that has been her ” thing” for a long time. Let her be . It makes her happy .
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I learned long ago, Beverly, that sometimes the best gift you can give your parents is to let them do stuff for their children. it makes them happy and that is what counts.
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That’s a very nice post – I am wistful when I see a post and picture like this as I have no family. Consider yourself very blessed.
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We invite my aunt along as she is my moms only sister and her daughters aren’t living this close. I have a sister who is not married and she has a group of friends that also does day trips. I have a feeling those friends are like extra sisters for her. If you lived closer I would take you along!!
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It does sound nice to read about family get togethers. Being unmarried like your sister, I did have friends, but most of them have moved out of state through the years … relocations for their jobs, some due to the recession. After my mom died, I was close with my next-door neighbor … she was there for me and I was there for her as she lost many members of her family as well. But I lost her to COPD last August – she had been ill for a long time, but she was in the hospital and scheduled to return home that day and took a turn for the worse. It was kind of a shock. She did take me under her wing and treat me like family after my mom died. Thanks for offering to take me along. That thought is very much appreciated. 🙂
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I am going to be praying that a sister/friend comes into your life.
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Thank you for saying that … it is very kind of you.
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It looks like a wonderful day 😊
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It was so much fun! And a great memory.
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What a wonderful day spent with fabulous people. Memories like this are priceless. I love doing things like this with my mom and daughter.
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I think that is why we keep doing this every year. When your parents get older it is good to make those memories.
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What a beautiful group of ladies.
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I think so!!!….but I am quite sure I am biased LOL.
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Indeed a true gift and a blessing to have them to count on to stand by you. Wonderful!
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It is truly a blessing….one I do not take for granted.
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What a special tradition!
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It started out when mom turned 80 and we wanted to do something special for her. It was so much fun so we kept it going.
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Thanks for sharing your family with us. What a group!
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They are a wonderful Godly group of women and a group I cherish. So happy to share them with you Anne.
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What a truly beautiful photogaph …. each of you shines with love, care, friendship and loyalty to those family members. You all absolutely shine!
A fabulous day – and your mother does not look anywhere near the age her birth certificate says she is. Such a beautiful lady.
Loved the recollection of memories, Chicken. It’s made me wish I could have been there.
Thank you for sharing not only the memories, but also sharing the incredible women you have in your family. They are a true blessing.
Sending my love. (as always) ~ Cobs. xxx ❤
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It was a fabulous day Cobs. My mom’s side of the family does seem to age well. My grandma lived to 98 and never seemed as old as she was either. I am hoping I inherited that particular gene.
It would have been great if you had been there Cobs. I have a feeling we would have laughed a lot sitting in those chairs having a pedicure.And shared good stories! You would fit right in.
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Laughing is my speciality Chicken. If they gave out grades for it, I’d get an A**+. lol. ~ C. xxx
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What a beautiful group of women! I also have a very special bond with the ladies in my family. I feel blessed that I do❤️ glad you had such a lovely time! Take care, Jenny
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There is something special about a day with the women in the family isn’t there.
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Absolutely! 🌸
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How wonderful. Such a nice family photo. Wonderful post Faye. I know your mother had a great birthday.
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It was a great birthday for all of us! Mom loves to go out with her girls.
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Your Mom looked younger than her years in your photo. I know she has to love going anywhere with her girls.
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Mom is aging well…just like my grandma did. Hopefully those genetics are strong and make their way down to me LOL.
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