My mom, Karen (Ancel) Neitzke, turned 80 years old on April 13th. I was able to be down in Cypress, Texas with her to help her celebrate. I had been sneakily obtaining birthday cards from friends and relatives for a couple of months. My goal was to have 80 cards for her to open on her 80th birthday. Well, everyone really came through! I had about 120 birthday cards for her! Most were from people she has known from all facets of her life. She had letters from childhood friends, high school friends, friends from her time moving around with my dad in the army…friends from just all over the place. Then my friends also joined in and even though they didn’t know her, showed up and sent her birthday wishes from all over the globe. Thank you for all the folks who helped with this. I was overwhelmed at how many cards I got to take to Texas with me! My suitcase was a lot lighter on the way home! My mom’s handbell choir also had an impromptu birthday party for her at their handbell practice the night of her birthday.
I was able to see my dad as well while I was there. He is not really verbal anymore but will sometimes say a phrase that is appropriate for the situation and it makes me smile. I got to hold his hand while my mom fed him his lunches and dinners while I was there. I even got a kiss on the cheek from him several times. He seems to be on a plateau right now and I will take it. He thought it was hilarious that my mom was 80 and she told him he was married to an old lady now. He laughed and laughed.
It was also great to see my brother and his family. I always have such a great time with them. Their 3 year old daughter is a blast to spend time with….she is quite a character! Their teenage son is big into basketball so we always have something to chat about. Craig and Mayra were champions driving me to and from the airport, which I so appreciated.
Here are some of the photos I took from my week in Houston:
This is my dad getting a double dose of love…holding my mom’s hand and mine.
Messina Musings 