Mom's Legendary T-Shirt

I had just turned 9 years old when my mom celebrated her 40th Birthday.  It didn't seem like a special day.  Mom never made a big deal about anything that could possibly put her in the center of attention.  I almost don't remember the event at all.  If I had to guess, she probably celebrated at the Silver Fox Bar with a couple of "short-red beers" or maybe a "fuzzy-navel"; the trendy drink back in 1983.

However, I DO remember several months later at the Thurston County Fair.  Someone gave mom a nifty t-shirt for her big day, which she saved for the entire county to see that summer.  It was a baseball-style shirt; the kind with a white body and 3/4 length sleeves that angled at the neck.  The arms were pink to match the fancy lettering on the front that read: "I'd rather be 40 than pregnant".  Yep, she wore that thing and wore it with pride.  I probably would have forgotten about it completely if one of my sister's friend hadn't asked, "Is your mom pregnant?"

"What??!! NO!!!"  You can imagine the horror.  "She's not having a baby, she's just old.", I thought to myself.  My sister probably said it out loud, with a couple of cuss words, and in a tone that left no question that mom was NOT pregnant.

It's one of fondest memories now for a number of reasons.  First, 40 doesn't seem too old to have a baby. In fact, it seems pretty reasonable.  Also, it illustrates my mom's personality pretty well.  She was always laughing and rarely embarrassed. A good example to follow and hard to do until you get over yourself.  Funny how that happens around 40. High-five mom!!

Today, I am working on my next act of kindness. I'll remember mom's good heart and quirky outlook on life to guide me through.  Someone is getting flowers cut from my overgrown yard and a cardboard tag attached explaining why I like them.  It's good to hear that sort of thing and its fun when its unexpected.  Lucky for me, I found a BIG stack of these little note cards and nothing is stopping me from peppering them all over town. 

Hey, make the rest of today rock.  It's a choice and today I choose feeling awesome!