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Always Right

May 8, 2011 By Marta Darby 17 Comments

    Blog hijacking shall commence in 3… 2… 1…

    Hi. This is Lucy.

    My mom doesn’t know that I’m posting this.
    But she does know that I love to tell stories. I got that from her. And there’s a beautiful story I know about my mom that I would like to share. But because it’s about as long as my lifetime, I had to condense it to all the REALLY good parts. Keep up.
    Even when I was little, her hugs were (and still are) the warmest. She can recite the thirteen dwarves in The Hobbit with ease (always ending with Thorin Oakenshield). She can quote every movie she could watch over and over again. She hates to be called “mommy,” but will stay awake until the early morning to talk with her children.
    She’s stubborn and she's always right. No, really. She is.
    She’s charismatic and witty and she can hold her own when things get rough. She also makes a mean Arroz con Pollo.
    (That one guy who works at In-N-Out insists I look exactly like her… but that's not important right now.)
    My mom loves life.
    So here’s to listening to Neil Diamond in the car on the way to rehearsals and to the dozens of conversations while sitting on the red leather couch.
    Here’s to the hilarity which never ends.
    I love you more than I could spit.

IMG_0029

Always your goose,

– Lucy

– – –

Mom,

    I can't watch this clip without crying. I can't watch any Star Trek movie without thinking of you. Thank you for introducing me to these lovable characters and fantastic stories. You are the Spock to my Kirk and you are the Kirk to my Enterprise. I LOVE YOU MOM! Happy Mother’s Day.

IMG_0025

MUAH!

– Adam

– – –

Mom,

    You taught me how important it is to hold the door open for you. It’s now a habit to get you “bubbly-bubbly water,” (with ice, of course). You know me best because you’re also the youngest. You know how to deal with my hair because it’s curly just like yours used to be.
    I love that you still pray for me every night. I love our conversations in the car and I’m glad you are patient when my mind wanders.
    I like how you encourage my “inner nerd” by being absolutely nerdy yourself.
    You taught me to “just go for it.” And I learned how to be fearless in every situation, even if I fail epically.
    You bring me joy.

IMG_0046

Love,
– Jonathan

– – –

Dear Marti,

    You are a wonderful mom to our four kids. I thought about it, and if I
    had to do this alone, and I would probably have just two modes:
    1. Running around like a chicken with my head cut off.
    2. Or catatonic. Staring out into the abyss.
    You manage to juggle our kids' needs, let them know they are loved no matter what, maintain a delightful home, and take care of me.
    All at the same time.

    I love you.

IMG_0067

– Eric

– –

    I may be getting a little old for this, but when I grow up, I want to be just like my Mami.
    She is the bravest and most amazing person I know.
    She was my age when I was born. I can't imagine having a kid right now.
    A few years later, she was getting divorced. While I know that she went through all of that heartache for herself as much as for Adam and me, I know that we were two huge reasons and I am forever grateful that she had the courage to be a single mom.
    A few years after that, she met an amazing man, but I know that if he had been anything less than amazing and didn't adore Adam and me as if we were his own children, she wouldn't have married him.
    Lucky for me, she was brave enough to give the whole marriage thing a second try.
    Mami's hard decisions and sacrifices have served as wonderful examples to me on how to trust God in everything, how to choose a good man, and (of course) how to cook. 😉
    Because of her, I'm funny.
    Because of her, I'm Cuban.
    And, even though I constantly joke that I think I'm adopted, I know there's no denying where I got my amazingly good looks and great smile from.
    It might sound trite, but everything I am I owe to Mami.

IMG_0331

– Kikita Amy

– – –

From all of us. To you.

We love you more.

Happy Mother's Day.

You might also like:

Hi Mom. From this day forward… A Wonderful Christmastime Mother’s Day Blog Shout Out

Filed Under: My Big, Fat, Cuban Family

Previous Post: « Celebrating Abuela
Next Post: Southern California Cuban Festival 2011 in San Dimas »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mario (the Michigan one) says

    May 8, 2011 at 3:03 am

    This whole post brought a tear cuz, you know, us Cubans are sappy like that. And we believe in the amazing and powerful thing that is a Mom (yes, I always capitalize that word even though it’s not proper usage). So lovely though, Marta. What an incredible thing you have created. Breathe it all in, sop it all up with a biscuit, and be proud cuz you deserve to be, my friend. Happy Mother’s Day to you, Luza, and your sisters. XOXO

    Reply
  2. Maria says

    May 8, 2011 at 5:09 am

    What an amazing family! God Bless all of you!!! Happy Mother’s Day!!! XoXoXo

    Reply
  3. keb says

    May 8, 2011 at 8:23 am

    BEAUTY – what a joy to read this.

    Reply
  4. Marta M. Darby says

    May 8, 2011 at 11:07 am

    I. Am. Speechless. (and teary-eyed…)If I didn’t have it before, this is proof that I lead a charmed life. I love you all MORE.

    Reply
  5. Roxana A. Soto says

    May 8, 2011 at 10:36 pm

    This is amazing! Wow, Marta, qué maravilla! Obviamente has criado a una familia increíble! Qué lindo se expresan de tí! Te felicito, amiga! Y Feliz Día de las Madres!

    Reply
  6. Maura says

    May 9, 2011 at 5:54 am

    Here I am, crying into my coffee! Marta, you are so blessed to have such a beautiful family, inside and out. Hugs to you!

    Reply
  7. Blanca Stella says

    May 9, 2011 at 9:04 am

    Awwww…my heart is warm and fuzzy to the hilt..Love this.

    Reply
  8. Dariela says

    May 9, 2011 at 11:06 am

    This is the best best present ever, you are right. Such a beautiful family Marta, feliz día!!!

    Reply
  9. Amanda says

    May 9, 2011 at 11:43 am

    Beautiful. Thoughtful. Emotional. Funny.I wouldn’t expect less from the Darbys.
    Happy Mother’s Day!!

    Reply
  10. Maybelline @ Naturalmente Mamá says

    May 9, 2011 at 11:59 am

    Me encantó! you have such a lovely family! I’m 100% sure you had an spectacular Mother’s Day! =)

    Reply
  11. Carol says

    May 9, 2011 at 8:39 pm

    How incredibly sweet! God bless your beautiful family…and you!

    Reply
  12. Romina Mamá XXI says

    May 10, 2011 at 5:59 am

    I’m crying, this was so sweet. Congrats for your beautiful family! Que mejor regalo puede una madre esperar, no?

    Reply
  13. Denisse Icaza says

    May 10, 2011 at 7:54 am

    I want my kids to talk about me like that when they grow up 🙂 I think that’s every mother’s wish and you got it! I hope you had a WONDERFUL Mother’s Day!

    Reply
  14. Elia says

    May 10, 2011 at 10:36 am

    Simply Awesome!

    Reply
  15. Ody Fabregas says

    May 10, 2011 at 10:38 am

    Her children arise and call her blessed, her husband also, he praises her Prov. 31:24Well my friend, looks like you’ve made it!!! What else aside from salvation could feel this good!!! 🙂
    Happy Mother’s Day!!!
    Te quiero de verdad!!!! 😀
    Ody

    Reply
  16. Michele Caridad says

    May 10, 2011 at 11:08 am

    i’m with Laura…i’m crying into my coffee!wow…what do you say to the obvious ode to the core of such a beautiful family…Marti, since day i’m impressed and taking notes! you remind me alot of my mom and you have obviously left quite an impression with each of your kids, that my friend is good parenting!
    all my love.
    michi

    Reply
  17. Maria Eugenia says

    May 10, 2011 at 11:46 am

    What a beautiful, touching tribute to a wonderful mom. You should be proud of your loving family. There is no greater gift than to be a mother and no greater blessing than your child’s love and respect. Congratulations and I hope that you had a wonderful Mother’s Day!!

    Reply

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