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Sunday, January 12, 2020

In Praise of Ms. Bear’s Childlike Wonder on Her 64th Birthday

64th birthdayAs you can tell from the title of this post, it’s someone’s special day today!! Not just someone special — someone VERY special. In fact, not just someone very special — someone who is the best person in the whole universe!! Yes, today is Ms. Bear’s 64th birthday!!!

I’ve been thinking long and hard about what I wanted to say in this special birthday post. I mean, I could literally go on and on about how wonderful my mom is; I’m forever in awe of her wit and her charm and her kindness and her strength and her love for the people around her.

And then I look at photos like the ones above. Photos from her childhood, which, I’m sure to her, feel like a lifetime ago. We grow up and over time, that lens of childlike wonder through which we viewed the world tends to fade, doesn’t it? We experience life and the bad times seem to harden us, wrapping us up in a big blanket of bitterness. Sometimes, it even feels like we’re powerless in stopping that bitterness.

I know what you’re thinking: “Wasn’t this supposed to be an UPLIFTING birthday tribute??”

Oh, it is. Just keep reading and, as Ms. Bear always says, you’ll see.

So back to that overwhelming bitterness we can’t seem to escape. I don’t know how my mom did it, but guess what?? She’s one of those people who has managed to escape it!! From 4 to 64, she’s held on to her childlike wonder. That’s six decades.

She doesn’t look at the world with bitterness or negativity, even when things are at their absolute worst. She finds the best in everything and sees the best in everyone. She sees the world as a magical place full of possibilities. And, frankly, she just enjoys the heck out of life!

64th birthdayWe talk a lot about the importance of change and “growing up,” how it’s inevitable and how it’s a good thing. But I think there’s something just as important to be said about holding tightly to the same sense of wonder that you discovered in childhood and using it to discover the wonders of life as an adult. At the very least, how boring would it be otherwise?? Certainly, it would make for a very boring and bitter existence.

In the end, isn’t that really the ultimate glow-up?? Because there’s nothing more beautiful or inspiring than refusing to become jaded. I’m thankful every day that my mom pushes me to see the magic in this world instead of being bogged down by its cruelness.

Happy 64th birthday, Ms. Bear!! Thank you for filling all our lives with joy and love every day. And thank you for teaching us how to see the wonder in this world. I love you soooooooo much!!! You are magical and I’m so thankful for the light you shine on the world… xoxo

P.S. More Ms. Bear birthdays: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

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5 Comments Filed Under: birthday, family, family photos

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Comments

  1. Abby says

    Sunday, January 12, 2020 at 11:23 am

    Happy birthday to your mom. She sounds lovely inside and out. Glad I stopped by, I needed to read these words 🙂

    Reply
  2. Lela Green says

    Sunday, January 12, 2020 at 12:31 pm

    Hello Dear Melissa!!
    Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and insight to your special lady, Mom, friend!!!!! Your family is truly blessed to have such a wonderful role model, and all of us who know and love her share in your blessing!!!! Best of days…hope you are having “cake”!!!!! 😉

    Reply
  3. Hannah says

    Sunday, January 12, 2020 at 1:05 pm

    What a beautiful tribute! I agree that there’s something magical about people that can remain upbeat and positive– especially when life gets rough. It’s not the challenges that we face; it’s how we choose to face them that makes the difference.

    Happy Birthday Melissa’s Mom! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Linda Fitzgerald says

    Sunday, January 12, 2020 at 6:46 pm

    Happy 64th Birthday to your Mom! Enjoy! What a sweet post! I know your Mom loves and appreciates you so much too.

    Reply
  5. Kate says

    Monday, January 13, 2020 at 9:02 am

    What an incredible post, honouring the most wonderful family!
    You’re both so lucky to have each other, and we’re all so lucky that you share with us.
    Thank you! I hope you had the greatest celebration 🙂

    Reply

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So About What I Said is a daily blog that covers relationships, disabilities, lifestyle and pop culture. I love to laugh and have been known to overshare. I also have an unabashed obsession with pop music, polo shirts, and PEZ dispensers. Read more...

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