Saturday, July 21, 2007

Happy Birthday, Mom!



Actually, her birthday was yesterday, the feast of Elias the prophet. (Almost every member of my family was born on a Carmelite feast day. It is uncanny.) It is hard to believe that my feisty and beautiful mother is two years short of seventy. The descendant of Spanish conquistadors, Chinese pirates, and Alabama Confederates is more energetic than ever, still driving like a bat out of hell. I will never forget clutching my rosary while riding with her on the Baltimore beltway during a driving rain storm, as the "Love-Death" from Tristan and Isolde resounded from the stereo. The Four Last Things flashed before me as she speedily but deftly wove in and out of traffic.

The above picture is forty years old; she always read aloud to us. It is definitely from my mother that I received a love of books, poetry, opera, painting and traditional liturgy. Share

7 comments:

Elena LaVictoire said...

Great picture! And a good reminder of why mom needs to be in front of the camera from time to time instead of behind it!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your birthday wishes...... and I did have a Happy Birthday week because I got to spend it with a beautiful gift from you, my darling Granddaughter....I do drive safely though when she is in the car.

elena maria vidal said...

Welcome, Elena! Thanks!

Yes, Mom, I know you always drive safely.

Anonymous said...

What is so endearing among the other elements of this photo is the little baby sibling who is looking on and listening so intensely; sweet beyond words.

elena maria vidal said...

That's my sister Andrea. She is very intelligent.

Alexandra said...

So wonderful, and I also noticed the baby craning over to listen. How adorable, and I'm about your sister's age. I was born in January, 1966.

elena maria vidal said...

My sister was born in May of 66-- yes, you two are the same age! Please pray for my sweet little sister!