johnnynotsid

Tomorrow my mother turns 55.

My mother Bonnie is a beautiful woman with extreme artistic talents and a wonderful heart. All the time she sees the world in lush and incredible color while still keeping an eye out for her babies, Wendy and Sarah.

There are so many special things that I love about her. The wonderful hugs she gives. Her smeared lipstick. Her big smile. The way she smells. Her crazy and extremely sexual sense of humor. Her perfect  honesty. she is obsessed with the Beatles and rocks out to PJ Harvey and The Clash.

Bonnie loves to travel. She's going to France soon. She's been to Italy, to Germany, to Amsterdam, everywhere. She brings insane culture into our house. Paintings (not just her own), Photos, Knick-Knacks from all over the world. It's remarkable,  the beautiful things that fill our home. But nothing as beautiful as her.

People often compliment me on my meager store of knowledge and opinions. But you know what? I would be another dumb, ignorant, wasteful teenager devoid of any depth if it were not for my mother. I don't tell her that enough.

When I was seven, Bonnie taught my Sunday School Class. During one class, she was explaining the Vatican and the Heirarchy of the Catholic Church. No one was getting it, so Bonnie compared it to ourown government. Cardinals as Senators, Bishops as Congressmen et. "And the Pope is like the President." I raise my hand.

"Yes, Wendy?"

"Yes, but the Pope doesn't have sex with Monica Lewinski." (This was Clinton Era, as you may have guessed)

This is the type of relationship I have with my mother. One of spontaneity and laughs. And other parts I'm not too proud of.

I yell at her, I snap at her, I'm an outright bitch to her and I never give her what she deserves for all the love she has given me. Mommy, I can't do anything as well as you do or with the same passion or knowledge of experience behind it, but I can write. So I'm writing this to you.

My Mother, Bonnie Jo Weissman is a:

a) Traveler
b) Former Army Captain
c) Kick-ass Shot
d) Masters Degree holder
e) Democrat
f) True Believer
g) Chicos Afficionado
h) Reader of Fashion Magazines
i) Blonde
j) Former Make-up Artist
k) Genius
l) Lover of all things (except bad stuff)
m) WONDERFUL HUGGER
n) Fashionista
o) Catholic
p) Rebel
q) Former Hippie
r) Teacher
s) Crazy Woman
t) Middle Aged Chick
u) Great Cook
v) Feminist
w) Wife
x) Lover
y) Daughter
z) Mother

Most  of all, she is proof of this:

There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy.
There's nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be in time
It's easy.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.

I would not have her any other way.

You're my best friend, Mom.

I love you.

Happy Birthday