Happy 60th Birthday, Ms. Bear: Three Wishes For You!

Dear Ms. Bear:

I know you won’t fully admit to this, but today is a pretty big day for you. I also know that you like to remain under the radar. But with it being your 60th birthday and all, I figured a little fanfare was in order — it’s only appropriate! Did you really think I was going to let it go by unmentioned? C’mon, you have to know me better than that by now.

Anyway, last year, I talked about all the wonderful lessons you taught me over the years; those are invaluable lessons, one that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. This year, though, it occurred to me that someone needs to take care of YOU! You’re always so busy attending to everyone else’s needs, and I wish you’d let me take care of you a bit more. Now I know this may be akin to moving mountains since you’re just like your father in the independence department, but just hear me out. As the saying goes, “you’ll thank me later.”

So in honor of your birthday, here are my three wishes for your 60th wonderful year of living and thriving…

1. I want you to be happy: After everything you’ve been through, you deserve happiness and joy more than anyone I know. You bring joy and laughter to so many people, so please take the time to repay yourself the favor. Maybe take up a new hobby or reconnect with an old one. You’ve always taught me about the power of choosing happiness. I hope you’ll choose it for yourself.

2. I want you to sloooow down: This is the one that I’m most worried about. It’s no secret that you’ve never really done well with unstructured time, but take it from me — that sort of time can make all the difference in the world. Recharging your batteries can give you a whole new outlook and lease on life. So go ahead and spend an entire weekend in your pajamas, curled up in your chair with Harry and Stella. Consider it a prescription for calm.

3. I want you to stop worrying so much: I suppose I can’t harp on you too much for this one since I’m so guilty of it too, but we’ve both seen the ugly side of the Worry Monster and it’s not pretty, is it? Plus, like you always say, the things you worry about rarely come to pass. Maybe we can try to keep each other in check and banish those neurotic tendencies away. At the very least, let’s make sure we don’t rile each other up. That’s certainly a sight!

Thank you for being the most amazing mother I could ever ask for. I’m the person I am today because of the mother you’ve always been. Please take care of yourself this year and forever. You’re too special of a lady not to and the world is a much better place because of you. I love you and will always look up to you, Ms. Bear… xoxo