I think we have started a new tradition.

Today was my mom's birthday.

She would have turned 58 years old today.  Today also marks 8 years since she passed away.

It was breast cancer.  Stupid cancer.  

I don't want my kids to forget about their grandmother.  So I am trying to find ways to bring her into their lives.  I decided that celebrating her birthday was a start.  So we headed to the store to get the necessary ingredients.  The girls helped me make the cake.  They suggested something pink to represent breast cancer awareness.  We found pink jelly beans.  The girls helped put them on the cake- we just dropped them randomly on the top.

Next year I'm think we should come up with gifts.  Not gifts you wrap up in packages, but gifts of spirit.  Thinks like treating others kindly, or giving up a bad habit.  Something each one of us thinks mom would appreciate.  We could plan ahead a bit more and make it a real event- not just a last minute cake.

I think it would be nice to have stories to tell the kids about mom.  

Collecting new ones each year would be fun.

Happy birthday, Mom!