78th

I will find a piece of pumpkin pie today. I will close my eyes and sing happy birthday, smiling through tears. Missing my favorite turkey-birthday girl. It seems right to share these words today, words I wrote in Mama’s voice…

I am Patricia Ann Barbara Grossman Fredricksen Gritzuk Grossman

I am from ski-jump noses and Irish eyes

I am from Grandma Sieburg’s bathtub and Grandpa’s garbage treasure hunts

From Granny Grossman’s tea and

More-Granny Lennon’s rosary

I am from Joseph and Evelyn-

From oil and burnt rubber

From harmonica and burnt toast

I am from a martini and a highball

I am from Barbara Ann, Jay, John and Jeff

I am from a dormered-bedroom with paned windows on the banks of The Nippersink Creek

I am from Spring Grove

From Saint Peter’s and Shirley’s diner

I am from the woods, the races and swimming holes

I am from pork sausage, mashed potatoes and creamed corn

From gravy on bread and a drawer full of chocolate

I am from penny loafers and go-go boots

From cigarette smoke and paperbacks,

flea markets and Church

I am from singing in a tiny kitchen, soap suds up to my elbows

If I had a Hammer

From singing while working and singing to forget

Gypsies Tramps and Thieves

From singing while driving with a steering wheel drum

Where You Lead, I Will Follow

I am from singing in church with a congregation audience

Yes Yes Lord, Amen

I am from tall pines that are no more

From old oaks and acorn storms

I am from hostas and peonies and coralbells

From fern and astilbe and bleeding hearts

From bee balm and wild phlox

I am from dirt under my nails, dogs buried in the garden and cats in closets and ceilings

From bread for critters and corn for geese

I am from hummingbirds

I am from nuthatches, chickadees and finches

From cardinals, orioles and fat squirrels

I am from 2 husbands, my 3 girls, their 11 + 1

I am Patricia Ann Barbara Grossman Fredricksen Gritzuk Grossman