Ashley Judd celebrated her late mother, Naomi, as she celebrated her birthday Wednesday.
The 55-year-old actress, who lost her mother along with her sister, Wynonna, on April 30, 2022 at the age of 76, posted a sweet remembrance of past birthdays on social media on Wednesday.
The still grieving daughter wrote “My Birthday” next to a photo of a birthday card in her mother’s handwriting.
“Whoever loves me makes it as tender (cake in bed) and precious as possible, as I couldn’t help but figure that on my last birthday, my mother was 11 days after her death by crushing suicide.”
The She Said star also shared a picture of herself, without makeup and wearing a red shirt that did not brush her hair, as she sat in bed and held a cake with a single candle on it.
Sweet memory: Ashley Judd celebrated her late mother, Naomi, as she celebrated her birthday Wednesday. The 55-year-old actress who lost her mother along with her sister Wynonna to suicide on April 30, 2022, posted a sweet memory of her birthdays last Wednesday.
“So it’s my first without it,” she continued. I think of her constantly. I look at my baby announcement and sit with her tender joy in sharing about me.
Ashley then shared that part of Naomi’s annual birthday “ritual” of going over all the details of the day she was born, revealing, “I wish all parents would do this for their children on their birthdays.”
The Berlin Station star wrote that many of her past birthdays have been celebrated with the “chosen family,” but she shared details of her most recent birthday with her mom.
“Last year, as you might imagine, was more muted, and it was very near to an end. Bob came with roast chicken and cornbread, and we shared a little meal, the three of us.
Naomi’s depression was affecting her that day.
My mom took a lot. We had cake and though she was weak and preoccupied with the disease that was eating her, she had a wonderful energy for me and I knew, as I always had, how much she loved me.
“I know that day too, even as she breathes in God’s infinite mercy.”
The Emmy nominee ended her letter with a note of gratitude.
Memories: Ashley shared this photo of her birth announcement and reflected on the last Christmas she spent with her mom, saying it was a “more muted” one, but that she “knew, as always, how much she loved me. I know that day too”
Birthday Rituals: The actress shared that Naomi’s birthday rituals had to do with the day she was born. ‘I wish all parents would do this for their kids on their birthdays,’ she said (pictured in Los Angeles in March 2013)
“Thank you, Mom, for all my birthdays thus far, and for celebrating me: for carrying me at bedtime and whispering in my ear, ‘Ashley, you are an extraordinary woman,’ and for allowing me to be your sweetheart. What more does a birthday girl need than memories of a mother like that?” ?
Referring to her cake photo, Ashley recalled, “And that’s the way she saw and loved me, up first, never brushing his hair, ready to share our dreams. For you, Mom. For you.”
The day after Naomi’s death, Ashley and Winona Judd tearfully accept a posthumous award for their mother, who was entered with Winona in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
“My mom loved you so much, and appreciated your love for her, and I’m sorry she couldn’t hold it until today,” Ashley told the audience of well-wishers.
Upon accepting her tribute, the Love Can Build a Bridge singer added a bit of humor, saying, “I didn’t bring anything tonight, because I knew my mom would talk a lot… congrats.”
Posthumous award: The day after her death, a tearful Ashley accepts Naomi’s induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame
LOVE: “My mom loved you so much, appreciated your love for her, and I’m sorry she couldn’t hold it until today,” Ashley told the crowd of well-wishers when she appeared with her sister, Wynonna, 58. , who was also recruited that night
Injury: Ashley revealed in October 2022 that she had fractured her leg, attributing the accident to her grief. ‘Foolishness is associated with grief,’ she claimed, and there were other people in our family who, after my mom died, fell down stairs and had accidents (pictured in Nashville in June 2012)
Last October, Ashley revealed that she had broken her leg after Naomi’s death Hollywood Reporter ‘What happened happened. Foolishness is associated with grief, and there were other people in our family who, after my mom died, fell down stairs and had accidents, and that’s what happened to me.
The fracture was not as severe as her leg was broken in four places during a trip to the Congo in 2021.
The most recent injury, she said, has given her time to think.
It really allowed me to grieve. It really allowed me to stop what I was working on in that moment and grieve.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call or text 988 for assistance. Suicide and crisis lifeline. Befrienders all over the world It can help find crisis counselors globally.
