Sunday, January 25, 2009

Mom's 85th Birthday




What a milestone, turning 85. Mom has had some real health issues, but she battles on, with swimming and yoga and physical therapy. She lives in a wonderful building in NYC, which is a great place for anyone to live, but it is specifically for Seniors. There are bells and whistles everywhere if she needs help. She has a great apartment and has made some friends, some who have passed, and others, some well into their 90's, who put one foot in front of the other everyday and live their already very full lives. There is a private room in her building for special events or dinners, which holds 12 people and this is where we shared a lovely evening. This is what Mom wanted.

I had an idea to make Mom a collage of her life, so I called on the family to send in the pictures. After scanning, zooming, editing, enhancing, lightening, brightening, cropping, carefully tearing, and finally rubber cementing, about 100 photos, I wound up with 2 very sizable collages. Similar to putting together a puzzle that you are inventing, I thought that I had gotten myself in way over my head. But, as always, the pictures found their place on each board. It turned out, that one board was 'Us', meaning my generation, my brother, Edward, my nieces, my cousins and their children, standing on the family that came before us in the other collage. Mom can't see very well, but she knew what it was and she cried. She understood that so many people love her, have loved her, will always love her, as she too, has loved, and will continue to love so many of us as well. It was a special night for a special lady. Happy Birthday Mom!

(The photos of the collage are taken from the center of each one...these are not the full boards!)

14 comments:

Mommy Dharlz said...

wow, your mom is so pretty in those pics...

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to your wonderful mother!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Congrats to your Mom for having lived to a ripe old age of 85!

Unknown said...

Best Wishes to your Mom, Amy. Sounds like she had a wonderful time.

Amy Lilley Designs said...

Thank you dharlz...I'll pass on the compliment!

Thank you so much Karen!

85 is certainly a landmark...she looked great too!

Awwww...sweet Daisy, thank you!

I will send her best wishes from the UK John...it was a memorable evening...thank you!

Paul Eilers said...

Wow. Eighty-five years old and still swimming and active!

And your collage is neat!

Happy 85th birthday to your mother!

Amy Lilley Designs said...

Thank you Paul for your kind words about Mom and the collage!!!

Anonymous said...

What a cherished gift you gave her! Happy Birthday to her!

Azure Accessories said...

Oh Amy the photos of your mother are beautiful...you did a wonderful job of both collage, they must have taken forever! I know she would have been so thrilled...keepsakes like these are always so very special!
All the best to your mother!
Cheers

Amy Lilley Designs said...

Heather!!!!...I feel like you were a part of this as we 'spoke' while I was in the middle of putting the pieces of this puzzle together. It took about 24-36 hours, once I had gathered all the pictures, which of course took a couple of weeks, and all the scanning, some of which had to be done professionally...I am fixed and focused on a project when I'm in the thick of it...especially w/ a deadline looming...Mom was, and still is very, very appreciative of the effort put forth...I love her for that!!! I keep her posted on all the good wishes she has received from this post, and will certainly pass yours along!!! big hugs..:))))

Waterrose said...

Oh what a wonderful gift! I know it's late, but happy b'day to your mom!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday, Bunny! A beautiful woman, a beautiful family, and someone who brought beauty and appreciation of life to so many people... myself included. Please send all my love!

Deb DiSalvo said...

Wow- what a beautiful collage! Happy Birthday to your mom!!!
Cheers,
Deb

Amy Lilley Designs said...

Many thanks Deb...it was quite the undertaking...but she LOVED/LOVES it...she has this great computer-like magnifier, so we poured over the boards together, carefully looking at every picture...now she knows, she remembers where everybody is...