December 24. Christmas Eve.  One of the busiest days of the year.  People are busy getting their last -minute shopping done, wrapping presents or in the kitchen preparing all sorts of yummy goodness.  Some have already started their celebrations.  My family is no different.  In my life all of the above is usually true plus one more VERY IMPORTANT event....
​
December 24th is my Mom's birthday! She passed away in 2004.  Christmas is always bittersweet because her birthday is so close.  I guess it would be understandable if I crawled under a rock until it was over. Truthfully, I will always miss her.  Instead of allowing sadness to rule the day I choose to remember how much she enjoyed her birthday.  She made a REALLY big deal of it.  Mommie made sure everyone knew it was her birthday... I really mean everyone.  If you were within 10 feet of her you knew.   She wore a "Its My Birthday!" button. The thing was at least 6" across! Really!!
  Think about it... her birthday is Christmas Eve. Talking about getting gypped in the presents department!  Basically, any birthday gift was usually a Christmas gift reassigned! Mom didn't really care about the presents.  For her it was mainly the recognition.  With people so caught up in Christmas fervor her birthday could get pushed to the back burner.  She decided she wouldn't allow that to happen.  

I think of her everyday but especially today I remember her smile. I hear her voice calling me "Kim-a-lim" or if I was in trouble, she would use all my names..."Kim Cherie Wells".  The memory of her laughter makes me smile.  I still feel the love she gave to family and friends.  I think about the happiness she brought to not only children but to adults as Ronibelle the Country Clown!  Now I have kept the tradition alive by letting you all know that today is the birthday of Marion Louise Wells. As you enjoy your family traditions and celebrations do me a favor and a quick second and send a birthday wish.  I thank you in advance, I can feel her smiling in anticipation!