Happy Birthday Mom!

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Today would be my Mom’s 62nd Birthday, and there is no reason why we shouldn’t celebrate it; it’s what she would have wanted!

This year was particularly special for Kelsey and I because we got to visit with my Mom’s family, the Becks (I know, Beck to Stiefvater!), and it was great to connect/reconnect with them as it was Kelsey’s first time and I haven’t been since my Mom passed away. We weren’t able to see my Mom’s sister and two sons who live in Austria, but we visited with my Mom’s brother’s family in Behweiler (near Lake Constance, in the very south of Germany), which is where she grew up, actually in the exact same house.

It was great to see my Uncle Otto and Aunt Angela and all my cousins. We had a lot of fun hanging out with them and reminiscing about my family’s visits to Germany and some of their visits to Canada. We also spent an afternoon at the Beck farm visiting my Mom’s memorial and flipping through old photo albums, enjoying old memories.

On this amazing trip of ours, Kelsey and I have been very fortunate to have my Mom watching over us, ensuring our safety and always pointing out the hidden beauty in everything. She is our Guardian Angel. Thank you for everything you do, everyday!

So today we’ll celebrate with a walk along the beach, a dip in the Aegean Sea, Greek Salad and Lamb (my Mom’s favourite meat), and of course because it’s Kels and I, a big glass of wine!

Happy Birthday Mom!

With Love from Greece,
Daniel & Kelsey

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Photos

On the front steps
Annemarie, Otto, Imgard

Earlier Years
Imgard, Otto, Annemarie

Another Oldie
Annemarie, Otto, Imgard

Behweiler
Where my Mom grew up.

"Tante Senz"
Senz is my Mom's step-mother. She is the reason my Mom made the best kase-spetzle.

Ingrid & Me on Lake Constance
Ingrid is my Mom's Step-Niece who lived with us in 2003.

Franz Beck
My Mom's Dad

BBQ with the Becks
My Mom's brother, Otto, and his whole family.

Me & Kels at the Memorial
1/3 of my Mom's ashes are buried here.
1/3 are at the bench in Oyster Bay.
1/3 were scattered in the Ocean in Australia in 2006 (that's where my Mom wanted to go on her 60th Birthday!)

Me and Otto
Can you tell he's my uncle...

On the front steps
Achim, Franz, Otto, Kelsey, Betina, me, Angela, Uli, Martin

Happy Birthday Mom!
My Mom's 58th Birthday in 2004.

Comments

[kari]

What a very touching entry. Really enjoyed it