The Misdemeanor of the Century

My mother strikes me as a miracle. Otherwordly, I guess. A survivor in the truest sense. She will turn 83 on March 30th and I want to celebrate her. This place will have to do. She has never been cruel to me or anyone. She has never not been there for me, no matter what hour of the day or night. She has never shown selfishness. She has never ever felt sorry for herself or shown me cowardice of any kind. I have seen her cry many times. She feels pain for every suffering being but never ever for herself. She makes me giddy with adoration and amusement, every single day. Every time she leaves the house she livens up the outside air in a way you have to see to believe. Inside, she is responsible for delighting anyone who calls or enters our door. People literally squeal when presented with her... presence. I am convinced the day of her birth should be an international holiday, though(to my endless dismay) it is not. In February of 2008, an unrelated Cat Scan, found a Mass in the ta...