Dear Mom,
Today is your birthday. A day to celebrate you and who you are to so many. I do not think we ever out grow the need of our mothers. There is something about a mother's love that transcends time and generations. There is something about the intimate bond a child has with their mother in the womb that is continued well into the child's life.
Through the years, I remember watching you battle and struggle to provide for Christy and I. I remember you working so that Christy and I could attend a Christian school, play sports, take music lessons and dance lessons. I remember you giving up your time to take us to recitals and games. You never missed a game, competition, concert, or recital, always there, always supporting. I remember you teaching us how to cook, how to sew, how to manage a household, clean, wash clothes. I remember watching you sacrifice so that we could have, watching you serve so that others may have. But above all, I remember you waking up early each morning to spend time in prayer and Scripture reading. I remember you saying you have written in your prayer journal prayer requests for and over Christy and I and that you know the Lord will answer those prayers. To me, you were a prayer warrior. I knew that if no one else was praying, my Mom would be. I knew that if no one else cared, my mom would be up every morning on her knees praying for me.
Life has not been easy. Growing up never is. As time has marched on, you lost your Mother. I can not imagine a life without a Mother. I know one day I will have to face this trial, not having a Mother to call, to be at your side when you are in need, has to be extremely difficult. Losing Grandmother was difficult for all of us, I miss her daily and would do anything to hear her say "You see this girl right here, this is my firstborn granddaughter, this is my special girl." Losing Emeline was a tragedy we did not plan nor expect to happen, yet the Lord had planned and did know it would happen. I never want to see my child suffer like I had to see my Sister suffer. But look at where we were and where we are. And losing your Father, your last parent. If losing one parent is difficult losing them both is tragic. Granddaddy was someone that I admired, someone I knew loved me. I can still imagine my lying on the couch and Granddaddy tickling my toes as he walked to the kitchen. The twinkle in his eyes when he knew something special was on the horizon. But life is not easy. And life will not be easy.
Christy and I admire you, we love you, we look up to you. We know that one day it will just be she and I, like it is not just you Kathy and Janet. But we are blessed because we have been given the gift of faith. We have a faith that has withstood trials and tribulations a faith that because of our Mom, while shaken can not be moved. And we have been given the gift of prayer. We have a Mother who has prayed for us before we were born and every day of our lives. No one else can take the place of a Mother's prayers. And we now pray for our children (my nieces and nephews) with the same faith and prayer we have seen demonstrated each day of our lives.
So happy birthday Mom....may the Lord bless you and keep you. May He draw you closer to Him each day of the coming year. May be restore unto you the joy of your salvation and may He give you peace.
Love in the coming year...
Your Oldest Daughter...
Today is your birthday. A day to celebrate you and who you are to so many. I do not think we ever out grow the need of our mothers. There is something about a mother's love that transcends time and generations. There is something about the intimate bond a child has with their mother in the womb that is continued well into the child's life.
Through the years, I remember watching you battle and struggle to provide for Christy and I. I remember you working so that Christy and I could attend a Christian school, play sports, take music lessons and dance lessons. I remember you giving up your time to take us to recitals and games. You never missed a game, competition, concert, or recital, always there, always supporting. I remember you teaching us how to cook, how to sew, how to manage a household, clean, wash clothes. I remember watching you sacrifice so that we could have, watching you serve so that others may have. But above all, I remember you waking up early each morning to spend time in prayer and Scripture reading. I remember you saying you have written in your prayer journal prayer requests for and over Christy and I and that you know the Lord will answer those prayers. To me, you were a prayer warrior. I knew that if no one else was praying, my Mom would be. I knew that if no one else cared, my mom would be up every morning on her knees praying for me.
Life has not been easy. Growing up never is. As time has marched on, you lost your Mother. I can not imagine a life without a Mother. I know one day I will have to face this trial, not having a Mother to call, to be at your side when you are in need, has to be extremely difficult. Losing Grandmother was difficult for all of us, I miss her daily and would do anything to hear her say "You see this girl right here, this is my firstborn granddaughter, this is my special girl." Losing Emeline was a tragedy we did not plan nor expect to happen, yet the Lord had planned and did know it would happen. I never want to see my child suffer like I had to see my Sister suffer. But look at where we were and where we are. And losing your Father, your last parent. If losing one parent is difficult losing them both is tragic. Granddaddy was someone that I admired, someone I knew loved me. I can still imagine my lying on the couch and Granddaddy tickling my toes as he walked to the kitchen. The twinkle in his eyes when he knew something special was on the horizon. But life is not easy. And life will not be easy.
Christy and I admire you, we love you, we look up to you. We know that one day it will just be she and I, like it is not just you Kathy and Janet. But we are blessed because we have been given the gift of faith. We have a faith that has withstood trials and tribulations a faith that because of our Mom, while shaken can not be moved. And we have been given the gift of prayer. We have a Mother who has prayed for us before we were born and every day of our lives. No one else can take the place of a Mother's prayers. And we now pray for our children (my nieces and nephews) with the same faith and prayer we have seen demonstrated each day of our lives.
So happy birthday Mom....may the Lord bless you and keep you. May He draw you closer to Him each day of the coming year. May be restore unto you the joy of your salvation and may He give you peace.
Love in the coming year...
Your Oldest Daughter...
Oh, Sweetheart! What a gift of you...to take the time to write down your thoughts and heart feelings is precious...never give up the time to do this. I am so proud to be your momma...and friend :) I wish we lived closer so we could spend more time together doing fun things...not just farm/work things! Thank you for your love and care...I have so loved being a part of your life, even if from a prayer away...I love you more...you are my first born :) Thank you for this birthday gift!
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