HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOM--DEMETRA ALLENDER!!!
My Mom is 70 years old today. Still beautiful, smart, savvy, with the same wicked sense of humor that lets me know she's always a few steps ahead of me.
My Mom grew up in a household with her generous, kind Mom who I called Yia-Yia(I've referenced my Yia-Yia(Greek for Grandmother)--Georgia Chiboucas--numerous times in this blog, over the past few years)and her Dad--Nick C.--a smart, ambitious man who unfortunately lived as an alcoholic most of his life. My Mom never complained though. Instead, she told great stories of her brother, two sisters, and her spending numerous days fishing, running around at the beach, and even running around in their front yard, spraying the water-hose at each other(Every child shirtless, in underwear. Those were innocent days, when a child was safe in their front yard, shirtless, in underwear).
My Mom grew up loving dogs, and she carried this love for dogs into her marriage with her husband, John.When I was around 7, we got a German Shepherd puppy. My Mom and Dad later became active in the German Shepherd Dog Club of Tampa, and for years, my Mom was the Mom to not only sis Tina and me, but our doggie-siblings, too!
It was a lively household, and one where education was emphasized, and where we were supported, and always lifted-up, by Mom, her faith(she was raised Greek Orthodox, and converted to Roman Catholic)and her faith in us.
I can't believe she's 70 (people still say we look like sisters--and if I resemble her--then that's a real compliment to me!), because she is still all-Mom, all-the-time!
Thanks for your love and encouragement, Mom. I know I haven't always made it easy for you!
If you are fortunate enough to still have your Mom, then, in honor of my Mom--give her a hug, and a phone-call, today!
My Mom is 70 years old today. Still beautiful, smart, savvy, with the same wicked sense of humor that lets me know she's always a few steps ahead of me.
My Mom grew up in a household with her generous, kind Mom who I called Yia-Yia(I've referenced my Yia-Yia(Greek for Grandmother)--Georgia Chiboucas--numerous times in this blog, over the past few years)and her Dad--Nick C.--a smart, ambitious man who unfortunately lived as an alcoholic most of his life. My Mom never complained though. Instead, she told great stories of her brother, two sisters, and her spending numerous days fishing, running around at the beach, and even running around in their front yard, spraying the water-hose at each other(Every child shirtless, in underwear. Those were innocent days, when a child was safe in their front yard, shirtless, in underwear).
My Mom grew up loving dogs, and she carried this love for dogs into her marriage with her husband, John.When I was around 7, we got a German Shepherd puppy. My Mom and Dad later became active in the German Shepherd Dog Club of Tampa, and for years, my Mom was the Mom to not only sis Tina and me, but our doggie-siblings, too!
It was a lively household, and one where education was emphasized, and where we were supported, and always lifted-up, by Mom, her faith(she was raised Greek Orthodox, and converted to Roman Catholic)and her faith in us.
I can't believe she's 70 (people still say we look like sisters--and if I resemble her--then that's a real compliment to me!), because she is still all-Mom, all-the-time!
Thanks for your love and encouragement, Mom. I know I haven't always made it easy for you!
If you are fortunate enough to still have your Mom, then, in honor of my Mom--give her a hug, and a phone-call, today!
Photo Credits:
Photo of Mom, by Hansoo. Celebrating her birthday a bit early at our house, on Sunday, May 24th, 2009.
Photo of Mom and me, in Atlanta at a photo shoot with L.A.-based photographer, Kelsey Edwards on August 5th, 2007. I was having head shots made, and Ms. Edwards kindly included both Hansoo, and my Mom, in some of the shots!
www.kelseyedwardsphoto.com
Peace, kids.
Peace, kids.
