She's a lover of figs.

The Jeweled Stairs' Grievance

The jewelled steps are already quite white with dew,

It is so late that the dew soaks my gauze stockings,

And I let down the crystal curtain

And watch the moon through the clear autumn.

~Ezra Pound~

Sheila at age 16; with her beloved dog Jason

My mother.  Sheila Ann, with whom my youngest daughter shares a middle name, is celebrating today.  We celebrate with her.  It is her birthday today.  Born the year Ezra Pound was awarded the first Bollingen prize for poetry, world heavyweight boxer Joe Louis retires, and Eire leaves the British Commonwealth to become the Republic of Ireland.  The de Havilland Comet, the first jet airliner makes its inaugural flight.

I'll leave you then, to guess the year, as we ladies do not discuss the numbers.  For really-they mean nothing.  When I asked her the other day, "How old DO you feel?" She replied, "I still feel 25."

We have not been without our ups and downs.  We still field the odd bump in the road.  But we love each other dearly, and fiercely.  My mother loves figs, pears and dark chocolate.  She is keenly sharp with remembering facts.  (Don't even bother trying to play Jeopardy along with her, she'll beat you hands down every-time.)

She is an avid house re-decorator.  I have a house myself full of all her old things.  We've come to an agreement of late that there is to be no more passing on of items.  I'm chock full.  This is a bit of an inside joke around our place.  :)

Growing up she baked cookies, breads, and more.  It wouldn't be at all unusual to return home after walking the half mile from school to be greeted at the door with the smell of freshly baked goods.  Whenever we acted up she would offer up a hug, a balm to heal whatever sparked our misbehaviour. 

When she lost her own mother in 1997 she would often pick up the phone,-pause, then hang it up.  I would ask her what that was and she would say, "Oh, I just remembered something I wanted to tell Mum." Then she would sit silently, only a tear in her eye.  Gazing out the window, remembering.  You see, like her and her mother before her, we too share a phone call a day.  So that, would be a hard habit to break.

Now while she does have a traditional "stiff upper lip" that the Brits are famous for; she also possesses a very big heart, and an even kinder soul.  She feels the pain of her loved ones so intensely, you'd think she had a direct umbilical cord still attached to that person.  I could tell you stories that would leave you in disbelief, such as a phone call home because she knew my brother had cut himself with a knife.  And he had (by accident of course.)

Her brilliant, technicolour and lucid dreams.  (That is where I get it from.)  Her dream one September 9, 2001 betokened an event so life altering, that on the day of 9-11, I called her in tears saying, "Mum, it was your dream."

So to the woman who introduced me to power walking, reading, Parma Violets, cups of tea, blogging (find my mum here, at Simple Indulgences), photography, painting, shopping for red purses, watching Absolutely Fabulous, dreaming of faraway lands, the romanticism of The Highwayman (which she can recite in it's entirety), the importance of applying excellence to everything you do; I wish you the best, most happiest of birthdays you've ever had.

Happy Birthday Mum.

xoxo

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Comments

[Orange Blossom Goddess]

Your mother is such a lovely lady. I too share a daily call with my mother - it is a balm for my soul. Happy Birthday to Sheila!

[Tara Bradford]

What a gorgeous birthday tribute to the wondrous Sheila! Like mother, like daughter - exceptional women rule in your family. I am a lover of figs too. Happy Birthday, Sheila! Wishing you a beautiful day and a fabulous year ahead.

[Jeaux]

Lovely, Gill. She taught you "the importance of applying excellence to everything you do," and started with her wonderful daughter.

Tink, Sheila... all the best to the best.

[shelagh]

What a lovely tribute! Happy birthday to Sheila Ann from another Shelagh Ann:)) xox

[Scarlet]

What a lovely way to learn more about your mother...through YOU.

Thanks for sharing these memories and moments with us. I love the part about the phone calls, the ones I don't always answer because "it's just Mom." It's true, one day the calls will stop and that's when I'll wish I could hear her voice just one more time.

Happy Birthday to your beautiful mom! I'll pop in and say hello to her a bit.

[tangobaby]

I loved reading about your mom! I wish her the happiest of birthdays. She sounds like a lovely, lovely lady.

[sheila]

Thank you for the delightful tribute Gillie..!
and thanks to your commenters for their good wishes too.
Thank you for not telling everyone I was 60...LOL
Looking forward to seeing you all this evening..
love
Mum
xo

[Rochambeau]

Happy Birthday to Sheila Ann!
So happy for her life and the life she gave to you.
Also happy you could meet Tara!!
So very COOL!
Will visit you mommy now!
Cheers!
xox
Constance

[gemma]

Your Mum is one of my favs! LOVE HER!
Hope she had a very special day.

[PEA]

Such a wonderful heartfelt birthday tribute to your mom, it's no wonder I love her so much, she's such a lovely person through and through:-) xoxo

[Christina]

This is lovely! Happy birthday to your mother! Wait- did you say dark chocolate and figs??

xxoo

[Robin Laws]

what a wonderful bit of writing that seems to capture the very best and essence of your mom gillian! i loved the idea that she talked to her mom everyday and that you two do the same :)

[Pam aries]

Sheila is incredible..and you are incredible too. And I ain't just whistling Dixie. I never had a relationship with either of my parents and I always admire families who are so close ..this is what true riches are! Happy Day to Sheila!

[Graciel @ Evenstar Art]

Simply put, this brought tears to me eyes.

What a gift you are to each other. xo

[stephanie]

What a beautiful post to your amazing mom...she has a blog! get out!!

Happy HAPPY Birthday Sheila Ann!

x..x

[Relyn]

My wishes come late, but are sincere. Happy birthday, dear lover of figs. Gillian, What a lovely tribute. I loved reading such an interesting rendering of her life. You've made her come alive. I feel I'd already recognize your Mum if I met her at a party. You do have a gift for description.