My eyes adored you like a million miles away from me
You couldn’t see how I adored you
So close, so close and yet so far

My mother turns 70 years old today, so it’s only right that I take the chance to honor the first actual song I remember listening to with my Mom when I was a little boy.  In fact, it’s the first song I ever remember listening to, period — “My Eyes Adored You” by Frankie Valli.

I was just a little fella when we lived in Lindenhurst, NY in a small house on W. Granada Avenue in the late 1970s.  I was 4, maybe 5 years old.  We had a Florida room in the back of the house.  I had a small turntable and would play this 7″ record over and over again.  It just sounded right to me.  I liked it.  It made me feel good and I knew my Mom loved it.  She would hug me or cuddle with me and sing this song to me.  Every little boy wants their Mom to love them.  When a song can conjure up memories of being a 4-year-old boy in his mother’s loving arms, you don’t forget that.  I haven’t forgotten.

So today she turns 70.  I’m not a little boy anymore and it’s harder for her to put her arms around me, but I don’t think that would stop her from trying.  She is my mother.  We’ve been through a lot together.  I’ve driven her nuts over the years, and she’s done the same to me, but — she is my mother.  She raised me to be the person I am today.  She taught me right from wrong.  She taught me to fight for what I believe in.  She is my biggest fan.  And I love her for it.  I always have.

Happy Birthday, Mom.  My eyes adore you.