Happy Birthday, Mac...!

Today is Mac's birthday, and this is her in one of my mother's many Halloween costumes.  In this picture Mac looks as if she's saying "What is this getup you've gotten me into?  Do I have to wear it?  It's scratchy..."  My mother used to love making Halloween costumes, and Mac has inherited that talent as well, along with many of my mother's talents, including her intelligence.  Some people are born with a big personality, and both Mac and my mother have that in common, along with their sense of humour.  When Mac was about 15, she had a friend who also had a larger-than-life personality.  One night I was out for a few hours, and as I was coming home from my evening out, I could hear Mac and her friend laughing from two blocks away.  Laughter like that is a gift, and fortunately both Mac's children have that gift of laughter too.

Mac is one of those unique people who does not realize she is unique, but my mother recognized that she was, and so did our Shaughnessy matron friend Janey.  And a few people, including Mac's cousin and a couple of her friends, have told me that they were inspired by Mac to go back to school to get their university degrees because they admired her success.  Of course, Mac would never believe that if you told her. Oh, and come to think of it, I think there may be one other person she has inspired to go back to school too.

When Mac was about nine months old, my friends used to come over to visit, but it wasn't me they were visiting, it was Mac.  At that age Mac was already walking, and she used to have long, animated, philosophical conversations with the walls.  She had learned to imitate perfectly the vocal expressions and gestures of adults.  She would ask the wall a question, and wait patiently, listening thoughtfully while it answered, and then she would come back with a lengthy retort, complete with head and hand gestures.  It was hysterical, and I could have charged admission to all my friends who came over to watch.  My friend Andrea still laughs about it whenever she and I get together.

Always keep laughing and having fun...  Life is not meant to be taken too seriously, but to be enjoyed.

Happy Birthday, Mac...!