Every September 25th when Mother and I could not be together at 6:03 PM, she would call me. Sometimes, I was in a place to take the call, or she’d leave an official birthday greeting and I’d return the call as soon as I could.

Sometimes, I would take the call in a rehearsal where others would listen in. There were several 6:03 PM birthday calls I still cherish.

This recording is one of them as it was the last recording I have from Mother at 6:03 PM, September 25, 2018, eleven months before Mother passed away.

On my first birthday without Mother, Mama Kay picked up the tradition and has come over to give me a birthday hug and kiss at 6:03 PM.

AUDIO: Mother’s last birthday greeting, September 25, 2018.