Happy Birthday to my Mother Joy Rose Slade who turns 76 on the 31-7-09 and is also Featured in The Family Album Group 31-7-09
I admire my mother so much and she has just returned from around the world trip at age 76. I have just emailed her a poem I wrote about her and my father (who died at 41 years old) as a present for her birthday. I feel that this is the right time to share this with her.
As a tribute to my love and admiration of my Mother and the importance she plays in my life I would like to share the poem again and a few photos of her life with my friends on RedBubble.
Happy Birthday to my beautiful mother Joy Rose Slade!
Mother
Her mind incisive and fast
Her strength a mountain
Courage her middle name and her last
She taught me so much
My mother pragmatic from the start
Me philosophical by heart
When as a child I asked her what I should do?
She said I have given you a good mind,
so think for yourself.
Her intellect so penetrating
She bought her books of law
Although she never started
Her mind was insatiable
Always begging for more.
At school in her exams
She was the top 8 in her state
So clarified, so defined, articulate and wise.
She was so pretty, her hair so golden
Her features fine
My mothers name is joy
She was the same by nature
She sang to me as a baby
A voice like an angel…even more
She read to me as a child
and taught me the love of words
She drew pretty ladies
and gave me the love of feminine grace
and a passion for art.
(Thank you)
Her love of my father was passionate and rare
Their charisma together burned on my memory
My father admired and loved her so…
Admiration was the first ingredient of their love
Their IQ was identical and it was high
His inner strength danced with her courage
as his masculine beauty complimented
her feminine grace…so divine.
As a young child I witnessed their love
built on passion and respect
My dad held my sensitive heart
in his gentle hand…
My mother shaped my strength
My father taught me nurture
and unconditional love
My mother taught me to stand up
and to spread my creative and intellectual wings
She made me strong enough
so I could be sensitive always.
She possessed that rare quality: Courage
My mother was never afraid
to stand up and speak her mind
Conformity was never her mode…
Pioneer, revolutionary was more in line
and gave this to me as a birthright.
She gave me permission to flourish in
my own sunshine and not be afraid to speak
Be different and explore and live true
to my inner voice, my inner knowing…
In my early thirties I interviewed her for my
autobiography and my heart swelled with
Pride at the person she was,
the history, the story and the wisdom
she had lived and passed on.
She told me I was the sensitive one
and softness she knew needed
protection and so she challenged me to
strengthen my inside and taught
me that I must look after my inner child
(my inner child still dances)
My mother encouraged me to pursue an education
To question, to explore, to flourish
To push the boundaries of convention,
To disrupt the wrong and unjust
and to pass on my learning and wisdom
She taught me not to settle for mediocre
and strive and struggle to reach my potential.
When she saw my art begin to blossom
and the words explode from my mind as
a teenager she did not try to stop
them or control them…
With pride in her heart she encouraged
me to follow my heart and my dream
She placed no limits or restrictions
on my imagination.
Oh that I love her there can be no doubt
She was my role model of woman
and showed me the dynamic
and pure love of a woman for a man
and she chose a beauty in my father.
I admire and I adore her
Inside my heart I know she loves me too
And this is the foundation of my esteem
…a woman of intellect, brilliance and generosity
Joy so beautiful…Joy so wise
Although we do not always see eye to eye
We can communicate, challenge and provoke
and reach a better place then we started
We question each other and then we take flight
I am thankful always to my mother she taught
me acceptance of difference encouraged me to
be a freethinker and a creative…
And she taught me the best you can be in life is
kind.
By Anthea Slade 14-4-09
Jordan Busson
Oh, wow, Anthea… Your words are even more beautiful the second time round. Happy birthday, to her. xx
Anthea Slade replied
Oh thank you so much Jordan for lovely words, my mother had a beautiful birthday.
doreen01
Sensitive and beautiful image and words too, Anthea!!!
...and for your mother “Happy birthday”!!! xx
Anthea Slade replied
Dorina thank you my friend beautiful comment, she had a very happy birthday,
CLiPiCs
Absolutely wonderful Anthea X
mothers should be treasured
Love ‘N’ Laughter Kriss
Anthea Slade replied
Yes indeed Kriss and I do treasure my mother. She has had a big influence on my life. Your feature was such a lovely birthday present for her. Thank you so much.
CLiPiCs
Anthea Slade replied
Oh thank you very much Kriss for featuring my Happy Birthday to my Mother Joy Slade in The Family Album Group. I am smiling now :):)
Julialala
Happy birthday to her indeed, i hope she has a splendid day! She’s a beautiful woman, and I’m sure she’s very proud to have such a talented daughter as you, such wonderful words, my friend. =] Xxx
Anthea Slade replied
Julia she had a very wonderful day. And yes she is a beautiful woman and she still is today at 76. She truly appreciated the poem and this means a lot to me. Thank you so much my friend for lovely words. xx
autumnwind
I have chills that will not go away. What a beautiful tribute to an incredibly amazing woman! She will absolutely cry when she reads this! And how lucky she is to have such a grateful, talented and beautiful daughter. This is simply outstanding and touches my heart deeply, and makes me miss my own mother. Happy, wonderful birthday to your mom, and many, many more!!! xoxoxo
Anthea Slade replied
Oh Shar what a beautiful comment dear friend. I have read this a number of times and it is so wonderful. My mother did appreciate this tribute. I wanted her to know how I feel about her now in life and not wait too long to say what is in my heart. She had a wonderful day and read all the comments. She loved them all. She is so healthy I am sure she will live for many more. Anthea xx
JonoCarrick
This left me with goosbumps and a lump in my throat. You are an amazing woman, and now we know why.
May your mother have many more years of joy and love.
Anthea Slade replied
Jono thank you for this beautiful response my friend. Your words mean so much to me. My mother had a beautiful day and I am sure she will have many more. Joy is a good name for her :)
msdebbie
Hi Anthea, congratulations on such a lovely tribute to your Mum. I love this sort of family tribute – gorgeous!!! Hope it is a wonderful birthday for her too.
Anthea Slade replied
Oh thank you so much msdebbie for wonderful words…she had a wonderful birthday and your comments and this tribute made her smile.
rubyjo
wow what a great tribute! and she is a beautiful woman both inside and out it seems. i am sure this poem brought her much love and contentment and you are to be applauded. :)
Anthea Slade replied
Yes rubyjo she is a beautiful woman inside and out. Have always admired and loved her courage and strength and joy of life. She did love this poem and I am so glad I could share this with her on her special day. Thank you so much for beautiful comment.
Cassidy JK (Ra...
Tears and chills. What a gorgeous combination when inspired by love. Your mother / parents sure did something right with you. The photos were a delicious added plus to this. Happy Birthday to Joy Rose Slade (perfect name!).
Anthea Slade replied
Cassidy my friend thank you for this most beautiful comment. This is poetry to my mind and touches my heart. My mother had a beautiful birthday.
Les Smutz
A very lovely tribute, Anthea. May she continue to live well!
Anthea Slade replied
Thank you so much Les for lovely words. She is living very well and enjoying life to the full.
pinkster
a wonderful tribute to your mom.. beautiful
Anthea Slade replied
Pinkster thank you for your wonderful words on the tribute to my mother.
happyfeet5
This is wonderful. What a tribute. You make her out to be strong and to have let you grow the way you wanted to, but giving you the extra push. And you confess that sometimes you don’t see eye to eye, but then we wouldn’t be human. Love your poem.
Anthea Slade replied
Yes she is very strong but she let me grow and shine in my own sunshine and yes there was (is) that extra push when I needed it :) Yes we do not always see things the same way but we have good open, honest communication and can get our differences out in the open which means our love remains strong and unjaded. She is a good mother. So glad you like my poem. I love your comment so much happyfeet5, Thank you so much.
raymondoantonio
A SUPERB TRIBUTE TO YOUR WONDERFUL MOTHER!! BRAVO ANTHEA!! AND SHE’S A LEO!! BONUS POINTS!!
Anthea Slade replied
Thank you so much Raymondo for wonderful words. Yes she is a golden, strong, warm beautiful Leo :)
raymondoantonio
AND CONGRATS ON ANOTHER FEATURE!! WELL DESERVED YOU WONDERFUL WOMAN!!! X
Anthea Slade replied
This feature was a wonderful birthday present to her as are all these gorgeous comments from my RedBubble friends. Anthea
MelDavies
Wonderful words, Happy Birthday Joy
Anthea Slade replied
Oh thank you so very much MelDavies. She had a beautiful day.
Shoaib .
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW this is the SWEEEEEEEEEETEST !!!!
i m going to fav it cuz it just touched my heart
Anthea Slade replied
Oh thank you sooooooo much my friend Shoaib – your words and favourite touched my heart. Just beautiful.
Mudsoldat
happy birthday Joy!!! MS
Anthea Slade replied
Thank you so much Mudsoldat she had a beautiful day.
GittiArt
Happy birthday to your wonderful mother Joy…..
The photos are such great memories from your childhood ..I love all of them ….....there’s nothing better than the love between family members !!!! Your words are so touching and gorgeous …always so refreshing and uplifting !!!You’re awesome in many ways my dear friend Anthea !!!!:-)
Anthea Slade replied
Oh dearest Brigitte thank you for this beautiful red rose for my mothers birthday and you are right love between family is a very beautiful and special love. I love your beautiful comment my gorgeous friend. Anthea x
Renate Dartois
This poem is such a heartwarming wonderful tribute to your mother Anthea-you are so fortunate that you still have the opportunity to tell her what is in your heart and thanking her for nurturing that beautiful person you have become. I wish her wonderful Birthday much health and happiness and many more wonderful years…Love Renate.
Anthea Slade replied
Oh thank you dearest Renate – yes I am fortunate to be able to tell my mother how I feel in my heart and thank her. I told her I did not want to wait to say these things to when it is too late. That being said my mother is so healthy that I think she may outlive me :) I shared your comments and all this wonderful comments with her. She was deeply touched by them. Lots of Love to you my lovely friend Renate. Anthea x
bev langby
Shes very beautiful Anthea and your poem is just gorgeous , Happy Bithday dear Joy xxxxxx
Anthea Slade replied
Dear Bev thank you for lovely comment, my mother had a beautiful day. Anthea x
Colin Cartwright
A fine poem and some wonderful photos, Anthea.
Anthea Slade replied
Thank you so much Colin I am so glad you enjoyed poem and photos. I loved sharing them.
Rhinovangogh
This was the most beautiful tribute I have ever read. It is some of your best writing by-the-way. Your love pours through in every word and line. How wonderful that you still have her. Happy Birthday Dear woman, mother of beauty and greatness! Cheers, Anthea, Reading this makes me proud to know you as a human being. Waaaaay coool! Rhino
Anthea Slade replied
Rhino that means so very much coming from such a talented writer and artist. Your words are beautiful and made me smile and my mother loved them also. She had a wonderful day and was deeply moved by all these comments from my wonderful RedBubble friends. Anthea
Reynaldo
Beautiful tribute my friend for a beautifl strong willed lady with grace,style, and charm your mother sounds like a beautiful person to know and congratulations my Aussie friend wonderfully written tribute cheers xx
Anthea Slade replied
Oh thank you so much dear Rey for these beautiful words and your understanding and appreciation of my mothers person. Your words touched me and my mothers hearts. So glad you liked the tribute and poem my friend. Anthea xx