Mom, today is your 70th Birthday and to be honest is another day to celebrate the greatest Mom in the world.
I know a lot of people say they have the greatest mom, but I truly believe that Joyce, myself and Debra have been blessed with the worlds greatest mom.
There’s no bond quite like that between mother and child. You know me in ways no one else ever will. You also see in me all the things I can still become and continue having faith that I can do and be whatever I want, no matter what my age. You are my biggest fan, my mentor, my confidant, my hero, my turn-to person when my world comes crashing down and one of the first people I call to tell when things are going great. The comfort that comes from our friendship, the confidence that your faith in me instills, and your unquestioning support of whatever I do, is irreplaceable. The kind of there-for-me that you are is the very essence of what makes a great mother. I wear your unconditional love and support around me like a big hug every single day.
I am so blessed to have you in my life. I’ve probably said it before — you are my angel on earth. Thank you for always, always being at my side and having my back. No one is in my corner quite the way you are. I treasure you, mother, and love you more than life itself. You are an amazing soul ever ready to learn something new, always open to differing opinions, and so compassionate and kind. You have always taught by example. There’ll never be a day in my life when I won’t need you.
Don’t believe me, well let me give you some reasons why you are so great:
1. FAITHFULNESS
You are the most committed mom and faithful woman I know. You attended every recital, play, and sports games and anything else we were involved in. You cried with pride at every graduation. You celebrated every accomplishment like it was the greatest thing I’d ever done, which did wonders for my feeble sense of confidence as I found my way in the world. You remained committed to your marriage because of your deeper commitment to Christ, even in the rockiest of seasons. I am constantly in awe of your faithfulness.
2. LOVE
You didn’t show faithfulness and do all those mom things because you had to. Everything, everything you’ve done for me, and for Joyce and Debra, has all been in love. You’ve always made it clear that you take joy in us, that you delight in us, that you love to just be near us simply because we’re your children. And in doing so, even before we were Christians, you demonstrated for me the tender heart and the parental love of God the Father. My understanding of the all-consuming love of a parent, the kind of love God has for us, I have because of you. I truly understood this kind of love when my baby boy was born, and I know that any reflection of this that I show to him is stemming from a legacy that you passed to me. And, because you loved your kids well, I know that your grandchildren are the most treasured grandchildren in the world!
3. RESILIENCE
My life has been full of so much joy, but I also had a fair share of troubling times. You let me fail, and I’m so grateful for that. Because every time I failed, you taught me to get back up. Not right away, and not pretending that it didn’t hurt. But in my own time, you helped me stand up, brush off, and decide whether or not I would try again. You never pushed me to be anyone I wasn’t nor forced me to do anything I didn’t want to do (after I had given it a fair chance). You’ve had more than your share of troubles and trials in life, and you’ve showed me what it means to not be so firm that you crack in half under pressure, nor so feeble that the storm washes you away. You’re that rare blend of gracious strength that bends and withstands the fierce winds and lightning strikes. Your roots are so deep in Christ that even when shaken, you can’t be moved. I will never stop being impressed that you have let these trials grow you into a oak tree, a pillar of faith. You show me a better way every day.
4. DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING
You have always encouraged me to follow my dreams and to seek out my passions. You bought me books upon books upon books for every holiday and birthday. I learned to love reading because you taught me to. I remember the hours laying in bed, reading stories over and over again.
Mom, you are a joy. My life has been so rich and beautiful, and I have been so loved and treasured, because you are my mom. I look forward to the future with pure joy and anticipation, for Garrett to learn from you, a whole new generation of little ones for you to love and influence and take delight in. I wish there was a better phrase in English to express the kind of love I have for you, but I love you, so dearly. Happy Birthday Mom!!