Friday, February 27, 2009

Happy Birthday, Joyce!


It's the 80th birthday of my wonderful Mom, Joyce Kennedy, an event so noteworthy that I must finally return to elenabella. (It has been a tough February, with computer complications and other unanticipated demands affecting the production of this bio-logue blog.) But the month is almost at an end, bringing at last a most magical day, a birthday rhyme-in-time: Hey, Mama! Happy Birthday!

When I have a chance, I will scan some photos of my mother over the years. For now, here is a glimpse of her at a Twins game. Born in a small town in North Dakota, her life has unfolded now for 8 full decades, something I find almost impossible to believe – until I recall Mom's steady energy, engagement, and emotional and intellectual brilliance. She loves life and lives it well.

Poet, teacher, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, devoted partner to Wally, my mother is a wordsmith and keen participant in the world. She inspires many people with her kindness, wit, intelligence, and clear, easy determination. She was named well, finding and creating Joy in a most natural, unaffected way, nearly every day. Thank you for life, Mom, and Happy Birthday!

5 comments:

RB said...

What a lovely looking mom!

Michelle Emily Walker said...

Congratulations, Joyce! What a great life you have lived, for your family and so many others.

Lyle Daggett said...

Happy birthday, Joyce!

(80 years old? Impossible. Just impossible.)

*

Only yesterday
lily flowers by the stream
touched with early dew.
Now, among high pines, a crow
calls the brightness of evening.

*

Cheers -- Salud.

elena said...

~ thanks to everyone who is sending out a shout to my wonderful mom!

Kathy said...

Oh, Elena, so good to have you back again on your bio/dia blog, and what a wonderful way to re-emerge, with a tribute to our amazing mother on her 80th! Let me sing the chorus to your praise song for our beloved Mom, a keen participant in the world. Much love, Kathy