Momma with her firstborn (me 😃). This is her favorite picture of us.
Meet Butterfly 🦋 (AKA my mom), a nickname that has stuck with her since her flower power hippie days!
This year we are celebrating 🥳 70 years of my mom’s life!
As a creative birthday surprise, I decided to honor her here by sharing this article with all of you. I’ve kept it a secret from her so she’ll come to read this new post, just like you have but she will have an extra wide eyed expression when she sees that the subject is all about her!!!
Y’all join with me please and shout out, “SURPRISE! Happy 70th birthday!!!” Now, don’t be shy, y’all really go for it!!!
Without a doubt, living through 7 decades is truly worthy of a rip roaring celebration! So, woohoo 🎉!!! Happy Birthday to you, Momma! Oh, the stories you could tell! But alas, this is my space, so….oh the stories I can tell, about you!!! 😉
(NOTE: Being an election year, just as an added piece of interest here, in that 70 years there’s been 13 Presidents who have held office in the White House.)
My mom has passed down to me some wonderful pieces of herself! For one, there’s music! It definitely runs in my blood!
I grew up watching my mom sing Acapella with her 2 sisters and with my grandparents (her parents). It’s a wonderful family inheritance to always carry music in your heart! I learned old hymnal songs like “He Touched Me.” And I also learned some good ole Sons of the Pioneers songs like, “Cool Water!” Momma personally taught me how to sing too, so sometimes, as a kid, I would join in with the 3 sisters and that gave me a special super power over my brother, who couldn’t sing! 😂 Sorry Kirk!!
Another delightful attribute of my mom’s passed along to me was a love for our family history. Although, I must say, I’m not nearly as sharp minded as her at remembering all of the finite details. Thus, I have dubbed her “The Highly Esteemed Keeper of Memories!” She’s also endowed (by me) with the title of, “The Holder of Sentimental Treasures!”
Once, on a visit to her home, I followed her from room to room, taking notes as she proudly described to me in great depth and detail, every significant item held within her fortress of collections. Such as, my grandmother’s cherished cobalt blue glassware.
Like her, I treasure the history behind these family keepsakes, so as my mom shared their stories, I diligently jotted down her every word to ensure that these mementos will forever keep their significance.
Of course a love ❤️ for old family heirlooms walks hand in hand with a love ❤️ for thrifting and antiquing! That too, is something momma and I share a common interest in.
Momma lived her dream and owned an antiques and collectibles shop that she cleverly named, “The Social Butterfly.” Her little toy poodle, Seven, was the adorable store mascot.
Now retired, “The Dog 🐩 and the Butterfly,” 🦋 (this sneaky little reference to a favorite old song that momma also used to sing 🎶 is intentional) still surround themselves with tokens of affection in their haven of familial remembrances.
Collections both new (meaning vintage) and old (antique) adorn and perfectly blend into the decor of momma’s home. It’s such fun to wander through her house especially on the expertly guided tour, led by the beautiful Butterfly 🦋 herself!
So many other things that my mom and I share in common, writing, photography, design but what we have most in common is our love for each other. ❤️
Momma loves gardening and being in the garden with her 4 doggies, watching her Cardinals (for my English readers that’s red birds not a priest), Hummingbirds, Blue Jays and of course butterflies 🦋 all in lively activity. This is a picture of some of her beautiful flowers in the garden and her butterfly mural painted fence in the background.
Momma’s favorite thing to collect is Brooches. She has all sorts (dogs, lions, birds, etc) but this picture is specifically of a few of her butterfly 🦋 brooches. She has beautifully sorted and catalogued all of her collection. It took her weeks but doesn’t this photo look like a picture from a magazine??!! Many of her brooches are inherited, some are gifts from friends, some she has bought herself on thrifting/antiquing expeditions and lots are gifts from me, her adoring daughter!
Momma and Seven (her fur baby and best friend).
The Grand Opening of “The Social Butterfly,” my mom’s Antiques and Collectibles shop.
I’ve always admired my mom’s beauty and fashion style. In this picture she’s wearing a sequined butterfly shawl that I bought for her!
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Hello Kimberley 👋
Here goes for your momma...
SURPRISE!!! Happy birthday 🎂
70 huh? Congratulations to your momma 👏
LOVE the butterflies! Impressive collection 🦋
Don't they, butterflies, just cheer your day .. seeing live ones flutter through the flowers or past the Cardinals (love that - thanks for the translation 😊) I will send you a photo of my butterfly cushion...
Much love Sue x
Thank you so much Sue! My mom has seen you birthday wishes for her!
She was so surprised to see my newest blog post was about her!
Yes, her brooch collection is massive! And, I only shared a small selection from her collection in the picture posted here. 😮 😃
Butterflies are one of God's beautiful creations for sure! I had one fly into my garden earlier and flutter all around me, it made me think of God, my mom, my blog. Definitely brought a smile!
Thank you for the picture of your pretty butterfly pillow! I ❤️ it!
Much love ❤️ Kimberley
Surprise ‼️
Happy happy 70th birthday to beautiful Butterfly 🦋
So fun reading this! Looking forward to meeting you one of these days!
I turned 70 a year ago Thursday!!
Blessings ❤️
Jeannie
Thank you Jeannie for your birthday wishes to my mom!
I hope you two are able to meet one day! ❤️
I was blessed to be in your life for that momentous birthday last year!
So much love, Kimberley
I love that picture, it is a favorite of us in our grown years of my 7 decades, 37, and 53. I'm young then and now!
Love the name Butterfly, it was never famous, just with friends. ✌️Like my singing, never famous. I had fun though getting paid to sing in a few bands and singing with my sisters on Nashville Star Seek! We talked to producers and if we paid them, they'd put our music out! Martin Sister's! Not! Sure was a fun night in Tennessee. Singing "I was born in Texas" at Daddy's request, he was so proud. Like he was proud singing with just us, you, me, Daddy "Winter Wonderland" in Malvern, AR. I sure do miss them both, glad Momma filmed so much!
I absolutely love your Birthday surprise, "The Social Butterfly" Antiques and Collectibles blog, so fun, and I surely was living the dream of my 1st store. Two dreams before it, in other years. Karen's Sound Room, (music store) Karen for Pets, (Pet Supplies) Then... Yes! I loved it! You are so thoughtful, caring, Sentimental Journeys with Momma. I love you so much my beautiful Kimberley Michelle. Thank you.
It's fiddin'ta be 14 President's, come January. I love being the memory keeper and I'm glad you've written things down. Some things are fading, like lyrics to songs 🎵 never thought that would happen. Family memories there though, for sure. Holding on to treasured gifts passed down through the years and the memory of things Momma bought me, brought them to me, and said this reminded me of you. You take after her on that one! Things cherished for years to pass down to my children. I thank God for all these confidences in my life. And still, know most of all, that we will all be together one day. Amen. ❤️ I love that most.
God bless the Cardinals and I hope to see a Hummingbird tomorrow!
Hello Momma!
My beautiful Butterfly fence has faded, faster than me, it weathered, but was still a beautiful birthday gift to myself one year, my 60th I think, by a local artist here, M. Willis. I was still working full time then! I wore one of my Brooches everyday, the brooch lady! 😀 the picture with Seven, I was 65, I don't remember what year, with that beautiful shawl, just that it was at Church with Deleana, Easter Sunday.
Anyway, sorry so long, it's a lost art, answering letters, sad.
I love this! Thanks to everyone who wishes me a happy birthday, it truly was, my Mother survived, nearly died having me, according to my story, 1st c-section, trying to come out feet first! Roaring like a lion! Lol Anyway, as they say, thanks and goodnight. I was born at 11:59am 1minute close to the 24th instead of the 23rd! I love you more than I can say. Hey, Hey 🎶🎵
Always, from the moment I knew you were with me, and I gave you to God. Best thing I've ever done. Momma
Thank you Momma for your beautiful comment and for sharing even more of your story in it. I’m so glad my surprise blessed you!
Thank you for saying I’m like maw maw in my gift giving heart ❤️! That’s a rich compliment.
I’m looking forward to speaking with you today as you open my presents 🎁! I’ve put so much thought and love 💗 into each and every one!
Love always, your diamond girl, Kimberley
Thanks to everyone for wishing me a happy 70th! I'm so blessed with the love of my children and friends. Most of all, the love of Our Father, God.
I only say one mistake, it was 11:59pm one minute to Midnight, I was nearly born on the 24th, of July. So I always send a Birth Day wish to my Momma, at that special time.
I love you, my precious Daughter. Of course, I loved every thoughtful gift you sent me and getting to be on the phone with you, for each one, Seven pkgs for 7decades. My little Seven 🐾🦋❤️ in my lap!
Love, Love, Love,
Love is all you need...🎶🥰🙏
Blessings to you momma, I'm so glad your 70th birthday was really special and that you knew without a doubt how loved you are in it! I enjoyed gathering the 7 decades presents for you and then opening them together with you and Seven over the phone.
Hopefully my blog is back to normal now, I will test it soon and add a new post. Much love always, Kimberley (your Diamond girl)
Happy Birthday my beautiful sister !!! You have such a beautiful and precious daughter to write such a wonderful birthday tribute for you on her fantastic blog! Happy for you both!
Thank you, Aunt Cyndi, for your very sweet birthday wishes for momma and for your lovely comment about my blog!
So much love ❤️ Kimberley
What a loving, warm article about your mum. You can tell where so many of your passions come from. Happy birthday Kimberley’s mum x
Hi Heather! Thank you so much for reading and leaving your very sweet comment!
Momma will very much enjoy seeing your birthday wishes! ❤️
Much love, Kimberley
Happy Happy Birthday, beautiful Butterfly!! Best Wishes for a year of abundant blessings!
Kim Maxwell
Thank you for your sweet birthday blessings for my mom, Kim.
So much love, Kimberley ❤️
Beautiful tribute Kimberley. Your mother sounds like a wonderful person to know just like you ! How talented she is and she has definitely passed this to you in your love for treasures and art! I’m sure she will be thrilled to read this.
Hi Paula, thank you so much for your lovely comment on my birthday blog for momma! You're right, she very much enjoyed her surprise article and reading all of the wonderful comments that followed! ❤️
I'm so glad that you were able to post a comment here. I've been experiencing technical difficulties but we are working on getting those sorted out.
Lots of love, Kimberley