Moms in general. My Mom specifically.

Everyone starts out with a mom.  Not all moms mother the same way.  Moms are people, by the way, just in case you forgot.  Some are healthier emotionally than others.  Some are more balanced than others.  Some are cookers and cleaners.  Some are shoppers and community oriented. Some are taken early and some leave on their own.

But as children we don't really recognize much of that until we start getting older.  I think sadly that most moms or care givers go largely unappreciated when we are children and sometimes they remain under respected and under valued until we are adults.

To be truthful, some moms don't do right by their children and that leaves both children and mothers dealing with issues that are linked to bad and painful memories.  Getting past the past is hard and requires soul work, grace and forgiveness.  But that is for another day.  Back to moms.

Mom.  To be specific,  My mom was almost perfect.  I am sure that she would have been perfect if I had listened better, obeyed sooner, prayed for her daily and gave her the respect and honor that God instructed me to do.  I love my mom.  Now that I am 51,  I look back and see how amazing she really was and is today.  My mom just celebrated her 82nd birthday.  She is beautiful. She has a beautiful smile.  She has eyes that reveal wisdom.  She has modeled Jesus for me throughout her life.  She has a servant's heart.  She is a great cook.  She is a wonderful conversationalist.  She is a great listener.  She worries a bit too much.  She feels empathy for others and like Peter, her works are a result of her faith.  If you are sick, she brings a meal.  If you are in the hospital, she comes to visit.  If you are in a rehab facility, she is there to check on you.  If you haven't called her in a while, she will check up on you to see if you are OK.  Her faith has beautiful feet that bring hope and grace right in to your life.

Her life was not easy.  She has known suffering.  She has known great loss.  She has lived with disappointment and hurt.  But in spite of her own pain, my mother gave us love.  She always put herself last.  She waited till everyone else was served.  She put everyone ahead of herself.

Mom,  I will always love you.  I have tried to love you the way you loved me, but you are so much better at it than me.  Please know that from the bottom of my heart I respect you.  I honor you.  I stand at the gates of my life and tell others of your grace and your love.

Happy Birthday Mom.
Love
Your Youngest Son.