Mom learned to love that ugly tree.

The year 2022 here in Albuquerque started off with rain and overcast skies today, which later turned briefly into snow showers in the afternoon. But despite the thermometer registering temps in the twenties as the evening wrapped up, it was a very warm day today for myself and my family, because it was my mother’s 80th birthday, and we were able to celebrate it with her.

And we were able to celebrate it with her in a special way, because her sisters suggested we give her a money tree.

My sister and I set up a private Facebook group, invited family and friends to join it, shared what we wanted to do within it, and invited anyone who wanted to participated in the exercise to forward whatever about of cash they wanted to us. And quickly her family members gave.

By last Thursday, a little decorative tree had been purchased, some small golden clothespins procured, and all monies received.

My sister’s family and I headed up to my mom’s house this morning at 10:20 on the pretense of sharing some cinnamon rolls with her for her birthday. But mom, distracted from her kitchen by my sister, returned to find a brown bag over something on her kitchen table.

The surprise was uncovered while some revelers joined the party by video stream. Surprise! A birthday song was sung.

“That is the ugliest little tree I have ever seen”, my mom responded. “I’m just gonna keep it just like it is”, she replied when we suggested she collect the money off of it.

So I and my nephew Grant made some scrambled eggs while my sis warmed up Frontier Restaurant cinnamon rolls for everyone to eat for breakfast. My mom grumbled in play, about the gift, about the surprise, about the imposition.

But she enjoyed her breakfast, and was then more than happy to play a game of cards with five of her kin.

And while the card game progressed early, she somehow became distracted by the folded papers on that ugly tree, and removed them one by one into a pile by her hand of cards.

Card shark.

It look like she had had a fine morning of playing poker, and had taken the house.

My nephew Grant later won at the card game, but we all had won by enjoying a great morning together.

The casual party adjourned, but I and my sis lingered to pick up a little and hang with our parents.

And to celebrate Mom’s birthday.

When my sister left a little later, a hole in the gray had opened wide and the sun was out and a crisp blue sky spread out over the house, like on a summer day.

Yeah, it was still freezing out, but the sun reminded us all how we felt today.

Really happy and warm inside, with Grammy.

Happy Birthday, my momma!

The ugly little tree that could.