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Happy Birthday, Mum!
A few years before this picture, she attended Oxford where she captained the varsity rowing and field hockey teams. She graduated with a degree in economics and immediately put that to use by marrying my father and quickly bearing three rambunctious children - the last and most special of which being yours truly... am I her greatest accomplishment to date? There is no question. Less than a year following this photo, Mum would forever change my outlook on life when she showed me the nature of English sorrow and despair by letting loose a deluge of tears following the "Hand of God" tragedy at the 1986 World Cup. After the second Maradona goal, she said "the god of football hates us." She also noted that we were his play things... I still don't know if she was talking about Maradona or the football god. Disappointments like this, though commonplace for her, were new to my siblings and I, so she gathered us together at the match's conclusion and told us to remain strong and faithful for the "Three Lions will rise and conquer the world when the Cup returns in 1990." I had no concept of time in those days and when it was clear that 1990 wasn't coming after the morning's breakfast, I immediately felt betrayed - mostly by the aforementioned English-hating football god but also by my mother, who foolishly raised my hopes even though she knew disappointment lied ahead. So it happens that the woman who brought me into this world and taught me how to be cynical and melodramatic is turning 47 years old today. Of course, she's had more influence on my life than my being a football depressive this but since the World Cup dominates my thoughts, that is what she's getting credit for today. As such, huzzah and happy birthday to my mum. She kicks ass and will drop kick you and your mum in a hot second if provoked! So if you know her, you'd best say something nice. If you don't, just think it... she'll feel the love.  Posted at July 7, 2006 2:23 AM Permalink • Filed under: Personal |
That feather-haired, Wham!-loving vision to your immediate right is my mum on July 8, 1985. She turned 26 the day before and it looks like she was making a proper time of it.
Comments (8): Happy Birthday, Mum!
Hadrian
July 7, 2006 7:35 AM
Happy birthday Mama Flash!
Julius
July 7, 2006 8:24 AM
Give your mama a big hug from me to hold her over till I see her next week!
Katy
July 7, 2006 10:51 AM
hahaha that is some fierce '80s hair right there :) Your mom is the best, give her a hug for me!
Patrick Houlihan
July 7, 2006 2:33 PM
Mrs. Warner's awesome. Happy birthday to her!
eric s.
July 7, 2006 4:02 PM
hope your mom has a great day.. anybody that has to raise a holy terror like you deserves it :)
krako
July 7, 2006 5:45 PM
what'd you get her?? besides a card reminding her that YOU are great? :-D
The big O
July 11, 2006 4:21 PM
1985 you say? Wow, I think I might be your dad.
SoonerJ24
July 11, 2006 11:12 PM
MILF!
Your mom's not available for dates is she?