For a long time now, my mother has spoken of this place and a time where a tremendous earthquake shook the Country...the earthquake was so violent that it hurled down the Giant Redwood trees like matchsticks. Fire, ashes, and molten lava came out and coursed down the valley in which now lies the "Petrified Forest!" She has always wanted see this place, so today, for her Birthday, her wish was finally granted.
Debra and I decided to take my folks to this enchanting, mystical and fascinating place located in Calistoga, California. It's a Registered Historical Landmark #915, and is a must see if you ever get the chance. You'll see much of it here as I share this special day spent with Mom. It was a step back in time, over 3 million years ago, and a walk on the trails of the Petrified Redwood Giants. What once stood as towering trees, is now just the "Rocks Of Ages!"
How was this wood and forest petrified? Water laden with silicates in the Volcanic ash seeped down into the gaps left behind by the decomposing tree fibers; replacing the wood cell by cell with crystallized silica until the entire trees became stone. Some of the silica formed into a colorful glass-like gemstone. Seeing the petrified wood all around us was spectacular. You'd never know by looking at these trees that they were like cement. It was just awesome to see and touch.
The best part of today was seeing my Mom have so much fun. I think she really enjoyed the trip. She was finally getting to see a place she's always wanted to go, and at the same time, celebrating her Birthday in the forest with us. She got souvenirs, exercise, enjoyed the fresh air, and now has some memories that she'll treasure forever. We enjoyed a nice "Birthday" lunch on our way back at place called Villa Romano's, some of the greatest Italian Food you'll ever encounter...really!
I just want to say to her, thanks Mom for spending your very special day with us, for being such a great trooper out there in the forest, and mostly, for putting up with me all day, and for all these years. You have been the "Giant Redwood" that I have looked up to all my life, and the "Rock" that has inspired me to always give my best in everything I do. Today we celebrate YOU, your Birthday, and all that you stand for and represent which is: Love, Honesty, Integrity, Humbleness, and Selflessness.
You're the best role model a son could ever have, you inspire me to this day to be more like you in every way. You are so loved, appreciated and respected, more than I could ever express or put into words. I hope you'll celebrate your Birthday with us for many years to come. You're the QUEEN, my Mom, my Mentor, my Inspiration, my Hero, and my very very best friend forever. I love you!!!
Brad~ What a "sweet" Mom you have. I guess that explains why you are so "nice!" Just think, you will have this on the internet forever to be able to look at and share with your family and their family....
Brad- Yeaaa! I got to comment and to be part of the celebration. So please ignore the secon part of my email but not the first that tells you how special I think you must be for honoring your mom so regally. I hope you will share all tje comments with her. Your tribute to her is lovely. It is special that you chose to share the occasion with thousands aof rainers and the world. Happy Birthday to your mom!
All that I am and have become, is thanks to my Mom. She is the kindest, most giving and loving person you will ever meet. Moms do set an example, even for their boys. My entire Blog could be about just her. She's retired but was in the Title and Escrow Industry for elevendy-hundred years. (That's really what she'd say)
Just to see her happy and enjoying herself and having fun, was the greatest gift I could have received yesterday. See, there she goes again, I end up getting the best gift, even when it was HER Birthday! haha.
I really DID get the best gift of all, and I always have.....it's her love. I admit it, I am spoiled in that dept!
You Rock Mom!! :-)
BTW - Mom, I hope you don't mind I shared this with friends. Just give me that (Gommie Grandma) look, and I'll take it down.
OH where were you when I was doing the post for my grandmother and her 100th... could used this font change.
Anyway... Happy Birthday MOM!!! I loved the petrified forest as a kid growing up in your neck of the woods. I made my folks go there quite often.... thanks for sharing your beautiful day!
You know, in all the excitemnet and emotion of posting, I forgot to mention, mom's name is Dorothy, and all her friends call her Dottie, what a goof I am, sorry Ma... :-)
No mom could be more proud of her son than I am of you. You're thoughtful and sensitive without losing your masculinity. Yesterday was filled with happy memories, all day long. The Ppetrified Forest was soooo awesome. Thanks to you and Debra for the wonderful time. I don't mind that you shared with your friends, but omg-didn't realize I was so old (read that "mature"). Also to your friends who sent in comments, thank you for your notes, you truly make Brad's projects fun and challenging. Best wishes to all of you. Love you, son. Mom
Brad, I'm sure your mother had a wonderful birthday, please send her birthday wishes from all of us on AR. I loved seeing the Petrified Forest, it's someplace I haven't seen but have always wanted to...thank you for sharing, I loved the tribute and the photos!
I'm sure you already are very proud of your son but let me just say you have every reason to be. Brad is such an important part of our team and we are very lucky to have him on board. His dedication and good nature are no doubt the result of being raised by a mother that he has so much love for.
I hope your day was as special as Brad made it sound.......I'm sure it was!!
Happy Birthday Dottie. Consider yourself lucky that I'm not within earshot as I sing: Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday To You...yada, yada, yada. If there's one thing that I'm unbelievably bad at, it's singing! The trip looked like great fun, thanks for inviting us along to share the day
How Totally sweet! My mom would love something like this - never thought of it. The really cool thing is that your mom reads your blog - and comments. . . My mom (also quite "mature") won't go near a computer. What a great son, great tribute and great mom--I can tell she is very proud of you.
Hey Mom - thanks for stopping by your on-line Birthday card and Party! lol~ Glad you enjoyed the day and all the birthday wishes from my friends here on AR. So, now that we got you on here, and know you can comment, Victor from Castellum wants to know if you'll be Blogging here?
With all those years of experience as an Escrow Officer and Branch Manager, you'd bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to many who would benefit. No pressure, but something to think about for those days when you might be bored or have nothing to do. Your Blog could be about all the things that you experienced over the years and the stories you'd like to share and tell. Hmmmm....just a thought.
BTW - "You're thoughtful and sensitive without losing your masculinity." Is that the same as a Macho Man? LOL!
Hey Mom - thanks for stopping by your on-line Birthday card and Party! lol~ Glad you enjoyed the day and all the birthday wishes from my friends here on AR. So, now that we got you on here, and know you can comment, Victor from Castellum wants to know if you'll be Blogging here?
With all those years of experience as an Escrow Officer and Branch Manager, you'd bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to many who would benefit. No pressure, but something to think about for those days when you might be bored or have nothing to do. Your Blog could be about all the things that you experienced over the years and the stories you'd like to share and tell. Hmmmm....just a thought.
BTW - "You're thoughtful and sensitive without losing your masculinity." Is that the same as a Macho Man? LOL!
Hey Mom - thanks for stopping by your on-line Birthday card and Party! lol~ Glad you enjoyed the day and all the birthday wishes from my friends here on AR. So, now that we got you on here, and know you can comment, Victor from Castellum wants to know if you'll be Blogging here?
With all those years of experience as an Escrow Officer and Branch Manager, you'd bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to many who would benefit. No pressure, but something to think about for those days when you might be bored or have nothing to do. Your Blog could be about all the things that you experienced over the years and the stories you'd like to share and tell. Hmmmm....just a thought.
BTW - "You're thoughtful and sensitive without losing your masculinity." Is that the same as a Macho Man? LOL!
I've always wanted to see the petrified forest. And I also always wondered how they got that way. Thanks for telling us how it happened. That's fascnating.
Brad- So nice to see a grown son that appreciates his mother :) I hope your Mom had a Happy Birthday, and that trip sounds like a very nice time together :)
Brad- So nice to see a grown son that appreciates his mother :) I hope your Mom had a Happy Birthday, and that trip sounds like a very nice time together :)
Man you guys, thanks so much for making my Mom's Birthday so special, I hope she's still reading all these comments from all of you. This was very special for her, and you have all made it very special for me too. Thank you so much! Have a great weekend, my son's birthday is tomorrow, he'll be 12. I Love the Birthday season...why? Cause everyday, it's someone's birthday somewhere, and that's a good cause to celebrate!!
Hi Brad What a mom and dad.....What a son.... I am so happy that I didn't miss this post so I could add my Happy Birthday and add a little note to your mom. Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute to your mom. I know exactly where you are coming from......I loved my parents the same way.....aren't we blessed to have that kind of heartfelt love.
Dear Dottie, Happy Birthday to you. What a beautiful birthday gift from Brad and Debbie, to visit your magical Petrified Forrest and to be able to spend your special day with Brad & Debbie. What a beautiful tribute for your birthday. What an honor for us to share this with you all. God bless your family with His choicest blessings. Many many more memorable
days together. .. BTW .. . . We love Brad too..........
Oh Brad that is so sweet...As a mom I could think of no nicer acknowledgement.....she must be glowing...........and the Petrified Forest looks fascinating!
Hi Brad I am not sure if this happened to anyone else but yesterday when I read this post, the only thing I could see on the second video was a front door . I thought there was probally more but the video just didn't kick in. I am commenting on this in case this happened to anyone else. Keep trying . I always check notify me and follow uo on the post and comments .
This morning, the second video worked and I would'nt want anyone to miss it. Again I will say what a wonderful tribute to your mom . You and your family will cherish that video forever. The video and slide were amazing and I have to try slide.com..love the presentation. What a fun mom your mom is and you could see how thrilled she was get her wish. In all that has gone on on the media it is wonderfully refreshing to see love, joy,values, and contentment.
What a very special day, and what a gift to share it with all of us in your most clever & creative & heartfull way, Brad...HAPPY bEARTHday! to your sweet Mom... and all the best to her from my heart, that she may continue to grow in the beauty, wisdom and grace that she radiates, and that you captured so well in your documentation of the petrified forest day with your precious family. A BEST DAY!
Liz - Mom loved it, I think she was just happy to get out and be with family. She has always wanted to go here so it was a rewarding day for us all. Thanks so much for the Bday wishes to her. :-)
June - we have been having some problems with the network, that may have been what happened, or maybe mixpo was down temporarily. Glad you got it working, I'll treasure that video forever as will Mom I'm sure.
Mara - she does continue to grow in the beauty, wisdom and grace that she radiates, she is the best example of a great person, and a caring Mom. I love her more than the life she gave me...and I love my life a lot! LOL~ :-) Thanks for the beautiful comment.
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I loved the show with your mom Brad! I kind of teared up at the end... :) Happy Birthday to MOM!!!!!