21 September 2009

Ave Verum Corpus

It's my mother's birthday. Or it would be. Actually, I guess it is. After all, January 27 is Mozart's birthday, and he's been dead for a lot longer than Moky has.

What to say, what to say? I kind of want to mark the day in somehow, and she has been in the back of my head all day.

In some strange detour on the web earlier, I found a plastic birdhouse that repels dogs - if the dog barks, the birdhouse makes a noise that shuts up the dog. It would have been a perfect gift, a yard ornament to combat the neighbor's barker that drove her bananas - especially because she'd never have spent $69 on a plastic birdhouse of dubious merit.

I thought about the last time I saw her - I kissed her cheek before the undertaker zipped her up. And then they bumped the removal trolley down the front steps and hoisted her into the waiting Cadillac hearse. At that point, my sister turned to me and said "she'd have hated that". "Yeah", I added, "it's a good thing it's so early that none of the neighbors are up."

She was easy to buy presents for - she was abstemious and frugal - so I could get her a stellar piece of cheese or some fancy chocolates or a soft and lovely sweater or the fleece hat she's wearing in the photo to the left or a brand-spanking-new hard cover book just out - and she would be pleased and tickled and happy to eat the cheese, washed down with some boxed wine. But a ride in a limo would have appalled her, just as she had no interest in manicures and massages - too indulgent, too ostentatious.

She would have been 74 today, and I wonder what she might have liked, this time, this year.

Happy birthday, Moky. Requiscat in Pace. And I hope Mozart is there singing the Ave Verum Corpus with you.



(Note: photo taken by my sister on my mother's 73rd birthday.)

28 comments:

Nadine said...

Happy Birthday Moky! And hugs for Maggie. Moky is looking down on you with love and pride, I'm sure.

Aurelia said...

Happy Birthday Moky!

I hope the singing is nice...peace and love to you Magpie.

Woman in a Window said...

I'd of liked her and her hat, her stinky cheese, he had over face and unmanicured fingers. She is my kinda woman. Happy Birthday Moky, from me to you in the ether.
xo
erin

Unknown said...

Lovely.

I think I would have liked Moky.

FreshHell said...

Yes, R.I.P. Moky.

Me, You, or Ellie said...

Well, happy birthday, Moky. Tell Wolfie I said hello.

Ellie

Anonymous said...

I shall celebrate her life with the cheeses left over from my husband's birthday. The truffle tremor is my favorite, with the herbed chevre a close second. We can just skip the raw milk morbier that my husband insisted tastes like ass.

YourFireAnt said...

Oh, Maggie. This is so beautiful. I'm blind with tears. I thank you.

T.

Aunt Becky said...

Happy Birthday Moky. I'm pretty sure she and I would have gotten along famously.

RuthWells said...

Hugs.

Bibliomama said...

At least she is remembered and mourned, splendidly. (Cold comfort, I know).

the mama bird diaries said...

Thinking of you and your mother.

Beautiful post.

bernthis said...

my very dear friend's mother had her birthday the other day. She passed away about 7 years ago. It's a tough day, I'm sure. Your mom sounds like she was quite a woman. Can't wait to see you

xo

mayberry said...

Happy birthday to Moky. Maybe you should treat yourself to that piece of cheese today, huh?

painted maypole said...

the picture is striking.

your love was obviously present enough for her on all her birthdays, this one included.

Furrow said...

Happy birthday, Moky :)

ree said...

{{hugs}}

And Happy Birthday Moky.

heidi said...

Happy Birthday Moky!!!! You should know that I'm keeping an eye out for your blue-haired girl, should she ever need a margarita or an ice cream at the harbor. Or a cup of tea in the kitchen. -xxoo heidi (a fellow virgo & crazy-assed mom that's STILL getting out of jury duty! Bahahahahahaha!!!

heidi said...

Happy Birthday Moky!!!! You should know that I'm keeping an eye out for your blue-haired girl, should she ever need a margarita or an ice cream at the harbor. Or a cup of tea in the kitchen. -xxoo heidi (a fellow virgo & crazy-assed mom that's STILL getting out of jury duty! Bahahahahahaha!!!

Dora said...

A birthday concert with Mozart is a lovely idea. I love that you knew the kinds of gifts that would please her and got them for her. In my experience, many people (family in particular) buy gifts that they like or that they think the person should like. I'm sure she appreciated your thoughtfulness.

Anonymous said...

Dear Maggie,
I am blind with tears too; and wish Moky a Happy Birthday too; I hope you drive your Kate at warp speed and the wind will dry your tears.
Love, Liz

Angela said...

I thought the photograph was a famous painting and didn't realize that is was Moky until your footnote. Mozart would be so appropriate, my mother requested the Requiem for her funeral (which hopefully is a long way off). Hope you are healing through this time.

susan said...

This has me thinking fondly of you, Moky and Mozart. Peace for you all.

Anjali said...

Happy Birthday, Mokey, and hugs, Magpie.

Kyla said...

Happy birthday, Moky.

The Library Lady said...

I remember the NY Daily News always used to have lots of "Happy Birthday In Heaven" announcements, and I always thought it was weird. I don't now.

Your Moky and Nanay aren't with us to celebrate their days, but I think we celebrate the love they left us every day of our lives and are richer for it. It's a gift that went both ways.

S said...

Sigh. Hugs to you.

meno said...

Beautiful picture, very evocative. Beautiful words too.