Sometimes, what we planned does not always happen the way we want it. Take for instance Mama´s 70th Birthday Celebration. It is apparently a big thing when one turns 70 here. A bash in a restaurant with friends and family are expected, with bubbles flowing fluidlessly ... We could have organised them for her, if not her wanting Papa to be stress free just for one day. Or even one night. This is my mother-in-law, Mama Else Elisabeth Winter. Always thoughtful, always caring, always giving and putting her needs and wants behind anyone else. She is one of those woman whom at 70 is still trying her best everyday to learn, be inspired, laugh everyday and above all, be greatful for what is presented. She wakes up every morning at 7am, monitors and care for his 6 feet 5 and over 250 pounds stroke / diabetic husband with a big smile and not break a single sweat. And that exclude her daily chore of cleaning the big house, and maintaining a garden as big as half our unit upstairs. It is her that we had decided to stay put in Germany when hubby presented me an option to relocate to warmer land since my health deteriorated after arriving in this new found land.
At around 11am last Sunday, Mama summon hubby downstairs for a little Piper Heidsick! I have no idea how much got into his system but all I remembered was seeing him flushed pink when he return upstairs an hour later. Dirk whom drove all the way from Camen with his girlfriend Karola will be joining us too, and it is Karola´s first time visiting. I guess Mama got a bit nervous meeting her future daughter in law and had a bit more to drink to prep herself up? Ahhh ... quanch. I think she just love the fuzzy feeling.
Dirk and Karola arrive right at the dotted time for coffee session. We shared a few stories over Frische Himbeertorte mit Schmand (Fresh Rasberry and Cream Cake) which hubby earlier picked up from the store. Es schmeckte sehr gut! We thought we are stopping at that since dinner is just 2 hours away until Mama brought out a large tray of cakes. Self baked. Stuffed were such an understatement. Mama loved the Birthday Card I designed! She was so touched and thought I´d put in countless hours making them but in actual fact, it was a last minute thingy and I was too undetermined to brave thru the snowstorm just for a card (bad me). Anyway, doesn´t the flowers all look familiar??? Take a wild guess where the pictures come from. The winner will win a bouquet right from our garden. Ahem. Dirk and Karola came with a surprise too. It was over few hundred calories heavier, but alert nevertheless when Dirk read out a story he specially composed for his mum. It was a touching moment yet again from the Kocks family with fond memories from their younger days but sad to say, I had not understood it 100%. Perhaps next year, I hope. I left them all later to explore Mama´s new toy (we got her a Sony Camera!) while I go upstairs to prepare the party food above for the evening.
I love that feeling. That Mama´s having both her boys beside her with her beloved husband, and her future daughter in law and her cute daughter in law. Moi. She thanked all of us profusely again and again, clearly appreciating what we had done for her but to me, it is nothing compared to what she had given us in the rest of the 364 days. I wish for her to be healthy, happy and be filled with love every single day. I love you Mama and thank you for loving me back.