san francisco here we come…
Mar 25
there is always a part of me that is a tiny bit sad on my birthday – it’s another day where i miss my mom desperately. for the first 36 years of my life, the first thing i heard on my birthday was my mom singing “happy birthday” in her off-key, sweet voice. she never said “hi” first or anything like that – she would either walk into my room and start singing (when i still lived at home) or call me at 8am and launch into her rendition. and she was punctual! 8am sharp. i could count on her. the other thing she did was take me to san francisco every year for my birthday. we were very poor so this was a major deal for us. we would eat exotic foods, walk for miles and miles and miles and much to my chagrin, we never shopped. my mom hated shopping. but it was in san francisco that we had the most delicious chinese meal (henry chungs!), my first bite of french and indian foods and walked the golden gate bridge. san francisco is special to me – it reminds me of my mom and how she made my world so big when i was little. so tomorrow begins this same tradition with my girls. jette and i are going to celebrate her ninth birthday and she is SO excited. i can’t wait to make her world bigger and share some special mother-daughter time. it’s going to be perfect!
Lisa Howard says
Your family is so blessed to have you…you will have to add “shopping” to the tradition of san francisco birthdays! Her note is precious…..quite a rhymer
Zoe says
you’re so sweet lisa! thank you! i hope they think that too
funny, but jette doesn’t like to shop either. once elle is ready to go, we will shop our way around that city!
susan atwood says
What a wonderful tradition. I have always been a sucker for China Town. I hope that I can think of something really special to do with Sophie…..what a great way to celebrate birthdays!
Have fun
Shari Bryan says
Beautiful, that’s all I have to say. Have a fantastic trip
Robyn says
There you go making me tear up again! Have a wonderful trip! I love my sister’s necklace btw!
Gmadeba says
Zoe, I love that you share the memories of your mother, and that you are continuing the tradition with your girls. Hope you have a very special trip with Jette! Your post reminded me of something I borrowed from a friend’s post:
“Thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday and days before that too. I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have is memories and your picture in a frame. God has you in his keeping, I have you in my heart.”
Jamie says
Wow, Zoe. Thanks for sharing. Got a bit teary eyed. How special that you have those memories and are not creating traditions with your daughter. What a great mom you are!
Zoe says
i definitely shed a few tears on the trip! a sentimental journey of sorts