Mom's birthday

Today would have been my mom's 85^th birthday.  It was the one time during the year she didn't have to make the cake.  Each year on her birthday, I think back to the ones we helped her celebrate. 

I don't recall with clarity every birthday, but a few do stand out.  When she was turning 39 she remarked, "Now I'm the same age as Jack Benny."  I remember her telling her father (grandpa Hank) the same thing and they had a good laugh. 

Victoria Station

The year she turned 60, my sister, two daughters and I took her to dinner to celebrate.  We went to the Victoria Station Universal City, a landmark on the "hill" near where Citywalk now stands.  It was a railroad-themed prime rib house.  The theme of the restaurant was loosely based on London's Victoria Station.  Antique English railway artifacts provided the décor inside.  It even had a trolley car from the parking lot up to the restaurant.  She enjoyed the evening very much.

When she turned 70, my sister, brother, his two sons, my husband, our two daughters and myself celebrated by taking her to the Tony Roma's at Universal Studios Citywalk.  Afterwards we strolled throughout Citywalk watching street performers and jumping in and out of the different stores.  She said she had a very nice time and was glad everyone came.

Mom passed away in 1997, just shy of her 71^st birthday.  Happy Birthday mom, miss you much!