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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

39 years

Two months old...looking a wee bit like my youngest child.

My third birthday, wearing one of my mom's groovy 70s handmades.

My beautiful mother, lovingly feeding me. I remember the creak of that rocking chair, and my mother's scent.

My first home, out on the Queen's Line.

And another groovy handmade...

Thirty nine years ago today, I came into this world. I had two older sisters who loved me, and my parents named me Stephanie Rose (with the little pink toes). 

I had a happy childhood, full of homemade playdough, helping my mom bake, learning crafts, reading in the boughs of trees, and running the streets of my hometown with my little brother and best friend. 

I spent my teens activating for social and environmental change while also teasing my bangs, wearing too much makeup, and dating lots of boys. I went to France when I was 17, got drunk for the first time at 18, and headed to university at 19.

I became a teacher in my twenties but mostly spent my university years playing guitar at pubs and coffee houses and parties, being philosophical while smoking light cigarettes in cafes (especially when I lived in Belfast), then settling down in a rural schoolhouse in Ontario. Then I met my husband and the rest, they say, is history.

I am grateful to celebrate this new age in my life, the last year of my thirties. I would sum up that decade with one word: mothering.

I look forward to the coming year, and the next decade in my life with joy and anticipation!

21 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday Stephanie!! Enjoy your day with your beautiful family!

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  2. the resemblance between your mother and you and your new little one and yourself is stunning!!
    Happy Birthday- your memories of February birthdays are probably close to my own. Snow storms, cancelled parties or lots of tobogganing and ice skating!

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  3. Wow...I thought your little gal looked a lot like you...but now seeing this picture just totally confirms it! She's a "spitten image"! It looks like we had a very similar childhood...handmade clothing...lots of elbow room for creativity and most of all...LOTS of love! Thanks for sharing this, and have a wonderful birthday today!

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  4. Happiest of days to you, Mama! While you spend your moments mothering your littles, might you extend some of that tender love your way? Enjoy this new breath and let your light shine!!

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  5. Happy Birthday to one of the best bloggers I know! One of these days hopefully we'll meet in person :)

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  6. Happy Birthday to my baby sister! The family resemblances are so cool. I see Norah in you, you in Mom, Margot, Violet and Jude in the school pic of you.. and on it goes. Wishing you a very happy day! Will talk to you later xox

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  7. Happiest of birthdays to you, Stephanie. You've had a busy 30s, and yes, mothering is the key word. Imagine what it will be like in your 40s! I can just picture your family, growing older and having even more fun.

    Those photos are perfect. You and your mum and stunning together.

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  8. Happy Birthday!!! A wonderful day to celebrate you life and your health and the fact that you get to live another year. Great photos!

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  9. those photos are so precious.where did the time go?yes those homemade clothes'I don't know where I got the time,crazy how i never went out to buy clothes but then i didn't drive.Happy happy birthday to stephanie rose with the little pink toes
    love mommy

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  10. Happy Happy, Stephanie, may the joys of your thirties roll over into your forties and the years get even better as they zoom past at the speed of light.

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  11. Wow...the photo of your mom giving you a bottle...I thought it was you! the resemblance is striking.

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  12. Happy Birthday Stephanie! Enjoy your day with that beautiful family of yours. Great photos...you look just like your MOM!

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  13. Happy Birthday to you. I think the 40's are better than the 30's. You look so much like your mom, especially that picture of the two of you at your first home.

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  14. Happiest of birthdays to you! May this next trip around the sun be your best yet! xo

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  15. How fun that you come from such a crafty upbringing, that's wonderful. :) Happy birthday!

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  16. Those ARE groovy! ...love your blog...happy birthday :)

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  17. Happy belated birthday! What a gift to see these photos and the marked family resemblances. I love, love, love that one of you outside on your mother's knee. So beautiful. YOU are so beautiful.

    Blessings...

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