70 Candles

A week ago, I was down in Orlando to celebrate my mom turning 70.  If you know my mom, you'd know she doesn't act like she is 70.  Most days she has more energy than I do and keeps going, going, going like the Energizer bunny.  She is funny, thoughtful, quick to lend a hand and one of the best people you'd ever be fortunate to meet.  My mom is beautiful inside and out. Simply put, she is my best friend.

My sister Lori and I threw my mom a small party for her 70th. Originally Jeff and the kids were going to travel to Florida with me, but after spending 2 weeks with everyone at the end of December, and Jeff's upcoming trip with Ian in March, it didn't make sense to spend hundreds of dollars on airfare for a long weekend.  So I got to have a wonderful weekend back home, sans kids.  The timing could not have been more perfect as I was really needing a break. 

This most recent trip going solo got me thinking.  There were many moments when I wished Jeff and the kids were with me.  I wanted to hang out with my mom/Jim, dad/Rita, Lori/Ben/Rachel, and Meghan with my kids and husband.  It was hard to be at the party and not have them there.  Hanging at my sister's house with her new baby really made me want Ian and Sam to get to know their cousin as much as they could.  It didn't seem right that I got to hold her and no one else on my Toppall team could.

My other thought that hit me was "What the hell was I thinking moving so far away from everyone?!?!?"   I absolutely ADORE my family.  The amount of love I feel towards the Florida crew can not be measured.   On Monday afternoon, a few hours before my flight back home, Rita, Meghan and I went for a quick lunch.  It is not an exaggeration to say that we laughed our way through the entire lunch.  Oh, what fun we had!  This lunch was such an impromptu, last minute idea and it will bring smiles to my face every time I think about it.

I know it is not practical to even consider moving back to Orlando (nor do I want to deal with the heat), but if given the right opportunity, I'd jump at the chance.  My sister's baby (Rachel) is so blessed to be growing up with her grandparents and aunt a mile or two away   I am not a jealous person, but this does get me teary-eyed on how special it will be for her.

Every time I come back from a visit down South, I feel incredibly grateful to have had the chance to go. I also instantly get depressed that I won't be around my family until the next time I go down to visit.  As of now, I don't plan to go back until July.  Gosh, that seems so far away.  I may need to do something about that. 

This was my mom 'back in the day'.
Wasn't she beautiful?

My mom with her 2 girls.