When I was turning 40, (ten years ago) my Mom came from NY to stay with me for a birthday weekend celebration. We went to Busch's Seafood for a delicious lobster dinner and we had the first real good time together that I can remember. It's not like we never got along. ...but she was my mom. I annoyed the shit out of her, and she let me know it. ...but after that 40th birthday, I think things changed. She wrote me a beautiful letter on my birthday and for the first time she told me she was proud of me. Well, at least it was the first time I actually heard her say it. Mom said I had raised a wonderful young man and that she thought the relationship we had (Gregory and I ) was amazing. It was nice. I think I always tried so hard to get my mom to be proud of me, and when I wasn't even trying, when I least expected it, she was proud. I guess she was watching all along.

Anyway, about he pretty little dolly in the picture. My friend Ella. Mom and I were walking down Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach that birthday weekend and we walked into one of the shops to look around. There she was. Just sitting on a shelf, looking pretty. With her crazy red hair and her double layered skirt with her across the body purse, the bow in her hair, and her socks and work boots, Mom and I just looked at each other and started laughing. Actually, we cracked up! She was me. I mean, I was her. I am Ella! Ella is me! :) Of course Mom got her for me as my birthday gift! So I thought, now that I will be turning 50 in a few weeks, I would share the story of Ella with you.

My other gift for my 40th birthday was the beautiful cameo in the middle of my collection. It was my Grandmas. My mom had it reset and gave it to me for my birthday. It is the prized piece in my cameo collection. She lives in the middle, surrounded by the others. Protected, yet protective. Just like my Mother. I treasure it. ...as I treasure my Mom. It may have taken a long time for us to understand each other, but I thank G-d every day that we figured out before it was too late. Don't get me wrong, she can still get on my last nerve, but I love her dearly and I wouldn't change a thing about our relationship. I cherish every minute we have together.

Lu you Ma.