Things I love about my mother (whose birthday is today)

1. she changes topics so abruptly and quickly, you have to pay close attention

2. she has a strong feeling about everything, there is no gray area

3. she is generous, generous, generous

4. she has beautiful hair and a beautiful smile

5. the way she dresses, even though I tell her she tends to look like an off-duty nun

6. she loves animals and taught me to love animals

7. she does the right thing, always

8. she does not shrink from confrontation

9. she honors tradition

10. she is wonderful with little kids

11. she's unintentionally hilarious

12. She leaves me voicemails like "Hello, Babycakes, this is your mother. Mother Extraordinaire. Mother of the Year for the decade... and the century."