from Alvin

Mom,

Your Diamond birthday!

How apropo for a mom that displays the overpowering brilliance of your personality, the strength of your character, the clarity of your love, and the beauty of the Queen of our lives that is you. You are truly a multi faceted mom in the way you know just what buttons to push in each of your five children. You have have shown us your hard resolve and strength of character in having to raise the five of us when Dad died, in a country where women were not seen in the light that you have shown. You made the hard decision to leave all that you knew, and most of your children, to start a new life in the states because you felt that it would be the best for all of us in the long run. You have been, and continue to be the rock that anchors all of us, for without you, we would be lost - especially me....

I have been with you the longest, and put you through the most challenges :), made you earn the title mom:), and have seen every side of you - I am your "baby" and would like to think your favorite:) That can be between you and me.... we dont have to tell the others:)

Truly and seriously I want you to know that anything that is good in me is you, when I stray from the path, the thought of you brings me back - grace, humility, kindness, caring, compassion, and responsibility - I have all learned from you.

I am so thankful to God that you are in good health and continue to be there for all of us.

I know I could call more often just to see how you are but rest assured that thoughts of you are never far away.....

This is your day, Your 75th BIrthday.

There is not a present in the world that could show how much you mean to me..... to us, as a family..... I hope the fact that I NEED you, that WE NEED you, to guide us - protect us- and comfort us with your loving devotion TO us - can be a gift. For what greater gift is there for a Mom to know that through all these years, and no matter how old we get , no matter how far away we are, we will never stop needing you, and loving you as our Mother.

I love you mom, with all that I am.

Your Baby

Alvin