Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Beach, Beethoven, Birthday

Do you ever have memories that make you suddenly laugh out loud at totally random and odd times? Even when you're completely alone? I hope so. Because this happens to me a lot. I like to laugh, but I think I also have really funny people in my life.

Case in point, I was in Germany with my mom six weeks ago. We had a lot of adventures and a lot of fun.

She and I spent one of our days enjoying the white sand beach of Heringsdorf in northeastern Germany. It was absolutely gorgeous outside. The sky was clear and blue, the sun was hot, and the fresh ocean breeze was blowing just enough to keep it from getting too warm. My mom was sitting in a German sand basket (Strandkorb) and I was next to her, sitting in the sand on a towel. It was an ideal day to relax quietly, think our own thoughts and watch everything going on around us.

Suddenly, apropos of absolutely nothing, I hear from my mom's little sand basket:
"Did you know that Beethoven's housekeeper had a really hard time with him? He was a real slob."

Silence.

I thought about this for a moment, considered it from a number of different angles, and then replied rather incredulously, "Really, Mom? Of all things, you're over there thinking about Beethoven?!"

She leaned forward, peeked over and gave me this look:

That's my mom. Sitting on the beach. On vacation. Just thinking about Beethoven.

Happy Birthday, Momma. You're lovely, you love us all so well, and...you make me laugh.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

If you are so inclined, you can send your own birthday wish to my mom (on her blog) by clicking here: X

16 comments:

  1. That's your mom?? She looks like a teenager! I guess pondering over Beethoven instead of the economy keeps her young.

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  2. Maybe thinking about Beethoven's housekeeper made raising children easier. She did something right..., she has you for a daughter.

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  3. This has to be one of my nicest birthday presents ever to see my daughter talk about me this way! What a gift to have this precious relationship with my daughter that is filled with laughter, understanding, trust and love. Wow!
    It is true about Beethoven, by the way.

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  4. I didn't think you were allowed to think about anything while you were on the beach...interesting...I know they do things different in Europe...

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  5. Dani, I am fortunate to experience the same kind of relationship with my mom. As for me, I have son's. I hope the future holds two lovely daughter in-laws somewhere out there waiting for me.

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  6. OMG, that's adorable! lol

    Happy birthday to your mum!

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  7. Happy b-day to your Mom! May she look like a teenager forever!

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  8. Oh I know about that random laughing thing. It is so wonderful you have a mother you can laugh with. I have the same relationship with my mom and I am so glad that we are friends.

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  9. Well I sent her a birthday hello...and I loved her blog and added it to my FAVS. You have a lovely mother and she has a lovely daughter...congrats on both!
    P.S. I always wonder about Mozarts
    lifestyle!

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  10. This made me laugh out loud just now. This whole scene just played out in my head then, *pop*, there was your ma, looking over that little sand basket.

    This is a great memory for you two to share. And I bet it will make you laugh for a very long time. (Even if it is at totally random times.) Cuz sometimes those are the best anyway...youre just minding your own business and then all of a sudden you get hit with huge fits of laughter. (Not that I know anything about that.)

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  11. Happy Birthday Mom!!! You don't look a day over 45!! How do you guys do it???
    What's the saying...Live Laugh Love!! Perfect!

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  12. I do have memories that make me blurt out in laughter - sometimes inappropriately..... I can also relate to seemingly random thoughts as odd times.

    Very sweet post about your mother and her birthday. I agree with the others that she looks so young! And she sounds so fun. You are both very lucky ladies to have each other!

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  13. Happy Birthday to your Mom.

    Tangential thinking is good...

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  14. I think my mom had a really nice day yesterday - in part because of all the really nice comments left here and over on her blog.
    (thank you!)

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  15. I agree. I had a wonderful birthday in so many ways! The many nice comments by all of your blogging friends were such a nice surprise and added to the already super day. Oh my gosh, you have a lot of friends!

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