On this 7th day of August mom would have turned 73. This year also marked her 7th anniversary in heaven. Lots of lucky 7s.

Mom was indeed lucky as a child being the first born to survive. My Lola endured three miscarriages before my mom arrived. Since her birth she was the golden child — like all first-borns — getting anything and everything she wanted.

My dad would tell me stories my Lolo shared with him about mom like how she would have temper tantrums as a child, hurling her body on the floor until she got what she wanted. (Sounds familiar, huh, Dexter?) Little did she know she would then be followed by a little brother and sister. At this point she quickly assumed the eldest sister role providing support and guidance.

She was the first and only from her immediate family to migrate to the United States — on her own. With two small suitcases in tow she and a girlfriend landed in New York City. They settled in an apt in Queens that practically felt like an earthquake when the subway travelled by. Soon after they found work at the United Nations. And that’s where she met dad in 1969. Lucky for him 😉

Lucky for my sister and me too! Lucky for us to have a trailblazer as a mom who will always be our rock and idol. We love you and miss you, mom. Happy happy birthday!