Peg at the Grand Canyon
TODAY is this woman's birthday. Many of you know and love her so feel free to add a birthday greeting to my mama, Peg.
Peg Buckley was born on Friday, September 13, 1935 in Brooklyn, NY. When her mother moved from Brooklyn to Vermont they found the hospital bill from when my mom was born. It was expensive for her to be born. $12. Yes, you read that right. Twelve dollars for someone so priceless.
This picture was taken on January 16, 2019 at the West Rim of the Grand Canyon. Mom had arranged for a private tour of the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam for us. She had done hours and hours of PT in order to handle this expedition. (She had two knee replacements the prior year.)
Things started a little iffy when it wasn't a totally private tour, BUT, we settled in quickly when we realized we had an awesome tour guide and lovely tour mates. Plus, mom ended up in the best seat of the van.
We got to the Grand Canyon and found out the elevator was broken. This was NOT good, people.
Putting one foot in front of the other while I "sang" (along with Annemarie & Jane) the theme song from Rocky, mom was able to climb the stairs to get to the area we needed to be in order to go out on the rim.
For ME, the most memorable moment of the ENTIRE trip were the tears in my mothers eyes and the look of wonder as she exclaimed, "I never thought I would get to see this," while seeing the canyon for the first time.
How fabulous that in her 80's she was able to experience this. With ALL of her favorite daughters.
Peg Buckley was born on Friday, September 13, 1935 in Brooklyn, NY. When her mother moved from Brooklyn to Vermont they found the hospital bill from when my mom was born. It was expensive for her to be born. $12. Yes, you read that right. Twelve dollars for someone so priceless.
This picture was taken on January 16, 2019 at the West Rim of the Grand Canyon. Mom had arranged for a private tour of the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam for us. She had done hours and hours of PT in order to handle this expedition. (She had two knee replacements the prior year.)
Things started a little iffy when it wasn't a totally private tour, BUT, we settled in quickly when we realized we had an awesome tour guide and lovely tour mates. Plus, mom ended up in the best seat of the van.
We got to the Grand Canyon and found out the elevator was broken. This was NOT good, people.
Putting one foot in front of the other while I "sang" (along with Annemarie & Jane) the theme song from Rocky, mom was able to climb the stairs to get to the area we needed to be in order to go out on the rim.
For ME, the most memorable moment of the ENTIRE trip were the tears in my mothers eyes and the look of wonder as she exclaimed, "I never thought I would get to see this," while seeing the canyon for the first time.
How fabulous that in her 80's she was able to experience this. With ALL of her favorite daughters.
Annemarie, Peg, me & Jane
What you need to know is I am terrified of heights. Ugly cry scared of heights.
As a little girl I climbed trees with wild abandon and had no fear. Until I fell out of the tree in our front yard. My father really thought I was dead. I had the wind knocked out of me and the fear into me.
When my kids were little and we took them to their first Yankee game we were HIGH UP in the seats. I had to turn with my back to the field and carry on as if I wasn't crying so as not to pass that on to them.
So. For ME to do this was a huge deal.
As a little girl I climbed trees with wild abandon and had no fear. Until I fell out of the tree in our front yard. My father really thought I was dead. I had the wind knocked out of me and the fear into me.
When my kids were little and we took them to their first Yankee game we were HIGH UP in the seats. I had to turn with my back to the field and carry on as if I wasn't crying so as not to pass that on to them.
So. For ME to do this was a huge deal.
ON THE GLASS
I am AB-SO-LUTE-LY crying in this picture. Fear. Joy. Goddammit I will NOT let the fear win. I needed to triumph, and I did. For THAT day. At that time. And the women of my family cried with me and cheered me on.
I do not take for granted that my mom is alive and healthy and able to be reached by picking up the phone.
I do not take for granted the bonds our family have. Started by Peg, lovingly cultivated by all of us, although usually with Jane at the helm making family events happen.
We are 21 strong with a wedding planned for next May that will make us 22 strong. There are important significant others in the next generation. There will be babies. And puppies. And kittens.
And frankly, without Peg, there would be none of it.
I do not take for granted that my mom is alive and healthy and able to be reached by picking up the phone.
I do not take for granted the bonds our family have. Started by Peg, lovingly cultivated by all of us, although usually with Jane at the helm making family events happen.
We are 21 strong with a wedding planned for next May that will make us 22 strong. There are important significant others in the next generation. There will be babies. And puppies. And kittens.
And frankly, without Peg, there would be none of it.
Happy 84th Birthday, Mama!
Thanks for teaching us all to fly. Love you! xo
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