Today marks the birthday of a very special lady to us sisters at TSP. If you follow our blog you know who this lady is. She has managed to raise five stellar kids if I do say so myself. And I must be honest, it was all her. When I was a kid I realized this woman had a very different life from the life she and my dad gave us. She grew up poor on the west side of Chicago by a strict Greek and a tiny, feisty little Russian Jew. Our mom wanted us to have everything, if not more than she ever did and that is exactly what she gave us. She dedicated her entire life to us and did it with pride. Our mom lived and breathed for her family. Not only was our house a home, it was also a home to everyone else that walked through the door. She was incapable of cooking a meal for just our family. Her pots were restaurant sized and she fed the masses. She was liberal and outspoken and we are still trying to figure out where we got that from. Wink and a nudge. She loved coffee and autumn and it only seems right that she was born in October. Her house smelled like a cinnamon pumpkin harvest jubilee this time of year and she had the very best laugh around. How I miss that cackle. She raised five kids without wavering, minus that one time she went on strike, but ultimately, she walked on this earth for us. Our mom was good to everyone. She defended the underdog and took in strays. I’m talking about people not animals, although she loved animals too. If you pissed her off you would hear it and if her kid screwed up, rest assured she made us own our shit and apologize. She taught me to be brave and I am the mom I am today because of her. I love her and miss the woman that she was and before I have to take a boat out from the pool of tears, and in honor of all of her awesomeness, we thought it would be fun to share some of the hilarious cool ass one liners that capture the very essence of who this woman is. We love you mom. We are The Sister Project all because of you. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ya betch!
“Get moving you Mother Joaner!” ~ To the bad driver.
“Your ass is grass.” ~ Any kid on any given day.
” You can kiss my ass on the corner of Loomis and Taylor.” ~ Anyone that doublecrossed her.
“If you plan on going out in the rain, be sure to wear a raincoat.” ~ To Michelle’s high school boyfriend. That was her version of a sex talk
“If you get pregnant, I am taking you to an abortion clinic.” ~ To Nicole
“Make friends with the Chinese kids.” ~ To Nick
“Can someone wake up Nick?” ~ To any other one of her children or Lauri her BFF.
“Whose hash pipe is this? You better not be smoking the grass.” ~ To Michelle when she found some paraphernalia.
“If you get into a fight with your siblings, you always make up. Always.” ~ To her kids
“Can you grab me some tampons?” ~ To the neighbor that was running to Sam’s Club and asked her if she needed anything on the way out.
“I got a news flash for ya.” ~ To any one of her kids when she was about to deliver some hard truth.
“You are my legacy.” ~To her kids
Love it. Live it. Share it.
So much love here. And when you’re around your mom you can FEEL it! You all have her beauty and spirit. I love you all.
Love it love it love them all. They all make me remember exactly when she said those words. Usually running after Nicky with a wooden spoon.
“Come here! so I can kick your ass”. My favorite.
Happy birthday, June. You did a wonderful job! They are a blessing.
This was great. I love them all and they made me laugh. But I friggin LOVE the picture of her holding Mia. Love it so much. She couldn’t get enough of her. She was absolutely in love the moment that child was born.
Love, Love, Love similar Mom & year 3 of FTD. Blessings to all of you.
Thank you for reading. There is comfort knowing we are not alone. Shall we remember who they were and the awesome things they said.