Happy Birthday Mom

Today is my mom's birthday...I won't tell you her age, you wouldn't believe me anyway, because she looks beautiful for her age.
In honor of my mom's birthday, I'd like to share a few of my favorite memories of her.  I'm betting she doesn't even remember some of these!  :)

One of my earliest memories is of my mom rocking me in a 70's gold rocking chair. She would sing "You are my Sunshine" and "Clementine."  I still sing these songs to my kids.  Thank you mom...you taught me the power of touch and affection and closeness.  Now, I cherish these moments with my own children.

Another time, I was home alone and scared, so I called my mom at work.  She told me to read the 23rd Psalm.  I read that familiar passage that night and let the words sink in and wash over me.  It was soothing to my soul.  She taught me that God's word is powerful and applies to our daily life.  Thank you for teaching me to turn to God's word in times of fear or loneliness or anxiety.  I still turn to it for comfort and guidance today.

My mom really knew how to celebrate holidays.
For Valentine's day, she would help me decorate a shoe box.  Mine was always the most beautiful one at school.

For Halloween, she decorated the house with spooky green light bulbs and fake spider webs.  Our house was always the scariest house on our street.  Once she planned a Halloween party for our friends and put witch's fingers and dry ice in the sink.

At Christmas, she went all out.  She decorated and put beautifully wrapped presents under the tree.  She would write us letters from Santa and once even had someone to pretend to be Santa and call us.  (my brother the skeptic answered the phone and declared it a fraud)

Once, she got me a cabbage patch preemie for my birthday and arranged for someone to deliver it to our front door.  (my brother got to the door first and then slammed the door in the person's face)
Mom still makes holidays and birthdays special.
Thanks for letting us experience a little magic in our childhood...and for teaching us to take time to celebrate.

My mom has always loved plants and being outdoors.  One time, she let me help her plant daffodil bulbs.  I was so excited when they bloomed in the spring that I got my camera and took dozens of pictures of them.  I now plant daffodils in my own yard.  Thanks for teaching us to appreciate nature and the beauty of God's creation.  I have learned so many lessons from a garden.


As a child, I was notorious for bringing home every stray animal I could find.  There's no telling how many homeless animals I rescued.  She always let me keep them.  I think deep down...under the "who's going to feed it, walk it, bathe it, clean up after it??" speech, she felt as sorry for them as I did.  (Oh, and she was always the one to feed it, walk it, bathe it, etc...no matter how much I promised otherwise--she's paid me back by sending a stray cat my way recently).  Thank you for teaching me the value of life and compassion for the less fortunate.


On cold mornings, mom always had a mug of hot chocolate and windmill cookies waiting for us before school.  Sometimes, she would warm our clothes by the fire so they would be nice and toasty when we slipped into them.  Now, I love making hot chocolate and windmill cookies for my little ones...I want them to feel as warm and snuggly as I did.  Mom, thanks for teaching me warmth.


Every year for Christmas, mom would buy us an art kit, or a craft kit, or something to encourage our creativity.  I still find joy in being creative.  My brother is a gifted and creative person too.  We owe this to our mom's encouragement.  Thanks for teaching us to express ourselves with creativity.  It is a source of much joy for me now.


There are many more cherished memories of my precious mom. She has been my constant cheerleader in this life.
I love you dearly mom.  You are so precious to me.  Thanks for all you've sown into my life.  I hope you have a very blessed and happy birthday.