Today I want to wish a very Happy Birthday to a special lady and close friend – my wonderful Mamma. The following is a poem I wrote in honour of her. As children, we never imagine our parents being a child themselves. Often this will change and I’ve been lucky enough to listen to my mother’s stories of growing up on a small island off the West Coast of Sweden. I know that for her, as for so many of us, that child remains within us. On the actual birthday we are holding a large family party at my home and this is a piece that I will read aloud during the celebrations.
I’M STILL THAT GIRL
I'm still that girl
Hauling wood up the rocks
To build the bookish den
A makeshift table decked with croqueted tablecloth
Shelves jammed into the crevices, already filled with literature.
A private space for my friends and I.
I'm still that girl
Snuggled up on the sofa bed in the kitchen
Falling asleep to the melody of knitting needles
The female chatter my lullaby.
I’m still that girl that could never just walk.
Could never understand a slow stroll,
when a run or a skip were the best forms of motion.
Walking itself would just not do!
(Well, apart from Sundays to church of course!)
I’m still that girl
Living life to abundance.
Spotting a chance to help the family and collect driftwood in the rowing boat,
why suffice with half-filling the vessel?
Surely to the brim is the optimal solution.
Balancing precariously on top of the overladen cargo,
I row carefully into the harbour.
I’m still that girl
Standing shoulder to waist with my father,
picking the seaweed and debris from the fishing nets.
My agile fingers adept at the task,
the silent harmony between us speaking volumes.
I’m still that girl
Always wanting to help
Caring for my siblings, four in all, at the tender age of ten!
How difficult could it be!
Longing for my parents to enjoy a holiday of their own.
I’m still that girl
Seeking solitude for my thoughts
Seeking meaningful friendships
Seeking purpose, seeking to help others.
I’m still that girl
Twirling in the sun-soaked living room
The rock and roll music filling the space.
All alone! Sheer bliss...
My mother returns early
No words of reproach, just a sweet smile.
My love of dance and music
never wanes.
A dark clear night beckons
My father leads me to the rocks
Far and high, away from the cosily lit houses.
Above us looms the universe.
He hands me a box.
I hardly dare breathe as I unwrap
The gift from the gods, I feel.
My own telescope.
Together we spend nights mapping the stars,
precious moments of learning,
of unity and quiet.
I’m still that girl
With Christmas money tucked safely into my purse,
Excitement bubbling in my stomach
the whole family heads to town.
For hours, I’m enthralled
by the magical lights, the decorations, the shops.
A chore is anything but taxing and boring
As with enthusiasm we prepare the boat for family holiday.
Scrubbing away with relish,
knowing adventures beyond local shores are imminent.
I’m still that girl
In awe with a room of my own.
At night times the friendly rotation of the lighthouse beam
gleams into my haven.
I’m still that girl
With no sense of danger
Standing on the sheer slope of the tiled roof with my brother
Shaking the bedding with vigour
Admiring the view of the islands
The blue of the sea greeting the sky.
A girl who takes a dare to dive
Into waters unknown
Slamming my head onto the rocks in the hidden depths.
During my first outing to the countryside
The vast emptiness of a field beckons
Space limitless, eternity ahead.
Barefooted I race on, treading on the soil,
onto the sharp harsh stubble.
I bite back a scream, my tears.
Turn around, return,
my pride refusing to show my pain and trauma.
An inner pride and sense of strength
That remains.
I’m still that girl
With an insatiable thirst for knowledge,
I’m still that girl
Teaching myself the piano, learning guitar, the music becoming an intricate part of my life.
Not able to imagine a life without it.
I’m still that girl
Believing the best in people, seeing the possibles, the positives
Understanding the richness of forgiveness
Comprehending the destructiveness of hate and anger.
I’m still that girl
Trusting in love, family and friends
Exploring life beyond any confines
Searching beyond the physical realms of my existence.
©Annika Perry
My grandparents (Mormor & Morfar) started a family tradition when my mother was young of performing the song ‘Med en Enkel Tulipan’ (‘With a Simple Tulip’) on people’s birthday. My Mormor would sing and my Morfar would join in on the harmonica. Today, I want to share this tradition with a video of the song sung by Harry Bandelius. Enjoy and if you’re curious about the words, please click here to see a full translation.
Annika Perry 
What a beautiful tribute — this reads like a love letter not just to your mother, but to the girl she once was and the woman she became. The imagery is so vivid, it feels like we’re right there with her on the rocks, in the kitchen, under the lighthouse beam. What a gift to celebrate her birthday with words that honour her spirit, her strength, and her stories. She must be so proud to have a daughter who sees her so clearly. Enjoy the family celebration — this poem will be such a meaningful moment for everyone.
Bless! Thank you so much for your beautiful and insightful comment. It is wonderful that you were transported to my mother’s island through the poem – I wanted to achieve that sense of immediacy. Often in this world people don’t seem to truly ‘see’ each other and when they do it is a gift. My mother and I are very close, and a joy to be such close friends. It was special to share the poem at the birthday celebration – lots of happy tears and conversation.
Such a heartwarming poem! Belated happy birthday to your mama! :))
Thank you so much, Katie! 🙏
What a wonderful childhood ! You are indeed your mama’s child ! The purity and innocence of that age has been beautifully crafted ! Thank you for sharing
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! It was an idyllic childhood and I always enjoy listening to my mother’s stories. Even as young myself I had to joy of experiencing the freedom and beauty of the island. It’s great you enjoyed my poem so much.
Your poem is absolutely wonderful, Annika, and so nostalgic. Your mother sounds like the kind of person people write books about. ☺️
Awww … thank you so much and glad you enjoyed it. Haha! You don’t know how right you are! My mother has had such an amazing, adventurous, emotional life that it would require at least a couple of books. I’ve been ‘nagging’ at her to write a memoir or such – no luck yet but who knows! 😀
You’re welcome! Oh, truly? That would be so wonderful! I’d line up to read it for sure. ☺️
This is so lovely! Happy birthday 💝
Thank you so much and it was a wonderful birthday celebration for my mother!
Very nice poem for your mother I must say, excellent!
Thank you so much, Nicholas! 🙏
…your mamma raised a wonderful daughter. You are still her girl. Have a blessed time together!
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Mark! 😀 It is a blessing that even as our relationships with our parents evolve, becoming adults and striding out into the world, our friendships with parents often grow deeper, yet we are still always the child – yes, I’m proud to still be her girl! 😀
….I have 4 adult kids, so we interact a little differently now. It is so amazing to know them that way. I remember how it was with mine. But they will always be those little ones in some fashion. And now seeing grand kids, get to see them as parents now too!
A beautiful tribute to your Mamma, Annika. A poem showing how strongly that courageous, curious girl still lives within her—and I assume you as well. The “Med en Enkel Tulipan” tradition is the perfect ending to carry her story forward in music and memory.
Randall, thank you so much for your insightful comment and yes, that girl is still very much in my mother and I’m sure I’ve inherited some of the curiosity and sense of adventure too! 😀 Music has a way of reaching people with wonderful immediacy and every time I hear the song I’m transported to so many happy memories – while making new ones.
A belated happy birthday to your mother! What a childhood she had–so different from anything I’ve known.
The birthday song sounds very jaunty. What a lovely tradition. My husband, children, mother-in-law–and granddaughter all have birthdays in Feburary.
Aww … a very Happy Birthday to all your family, Merril! ❤️🎉💐 It must be a very busy month for you all with lots of lovely celebrations.
The song is a fun one and always fills me with a sense of love, transporting me back to my grandparents and glad my mother continues the tradition to this day.
You’re right, it was an idyllic childhood and not often children experience such freedom and variety in their young lives!
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Merril! 😀🙏❤️
Thank you and you’re welcome, Annika!
Not so busy now as it was when the kids were small and lived at home. 😊
Happy Birthday to Annika’s Mamma!
You wrote a fabulous poem, Annika. It’s wonderful, filled with life and joy.
I’m listening to the song you posted. It feels HAPPY.
I trust the day went beautifully.
Cheers to you and yours!
Resa, thank you so much and you’re right, it is such a happy song and filled with love! We had an amazing and beautiful party – one that will stay with us all a long time!
Yay! That’s terrific, Annika!
🕊❦