I love you, Mama!

Tomorrow is a very special day. Tomorrow is my Mother's birthday!

My Mom is a very special and unique person.

She had many adventures growing up.

When we were little, she would tell us stories about those adventures-we loved to hear stories about when our parents were little!

I was very fascinated with our family history, and would make family trees and such-I would also pour over old family photographs.

Here's my mom - Suzanne. Isn't she beautiful?

Some of the stories my mom told me that stick in my mind would be....when she and her sister tied their little brother to the bed--and threw books at him!.....roller skating through the school library.....that infamous meal she prepared of "dog food spaghetti".....the time the hood of her car flew up while she and Fred were driving.....being chased by another car on those curvy roads in CA.....all her Van and Martha adventures....Meeting and marrying Poppie.....

Four years after Mama and Pops were married, Jedidiah was born. About 22 months later, I arrived.

Mama, you were and are a great mom!

You sacrificed so much for us, and poured all of your energy, time and money into giving us the best life you could!...and It was a wonderful life.

Thank you for everything you did for us. I know the doctor told you we wouldn't be terribly grateful-and maybe we weren't when we were younger-but I am now. I'm grateful for every day that you gave of yourself for us. THANK YOU!

Thank you for teaching us about Jesus, how to be kind to each other, how to work, how to love and how to play!

-------------------------------------

Other memories of my mom....

Reading aloud to us. I can still remember sitting around in the living room on Hackamore street-reading about Mrs. Happy! :) ....and the tickle monster books! How could I forget those!

Wonderful birthday parties - I especially remember and appreciate my "Art Birthday" What a lot of work you went to! Just to give you an idea of how wonderful she is...she made aprons for every kid that came to the party-and this was no ordinary apron! It had MANY little pockets on it, and every time you wrote something nice on another child's paper (that they took home) you got to pick another marker/paintbrush/other like item to place in the pocket on your apron! The aprons had a little picture on them, too - accented with puff paint, I think - in other words, a lot of work!

Mama always made birthdays and Christmas so amazing! Wonderful, wonderful memories!

She was always willing to talk to us. She cared about how we were doing inside-very much.

She worked hard to teach us. I remember laying on my parents bed studying the wisdom books. Mama made it fun, too!

Mama wanted us to have music lessons. She took us faithfully each week to not just piano lessons, but string lessons, and sometimes flute too! She helped us practice, talked to our teachers, and attended our recitals.

Mama always encouraged creativity. She loved me to make things on the computer, and was always very encouraging about whatever I made-making me feel very special. She loved my drawings, which also made me feel very special.

My mom loves animals. We have had so many animals growing up! Seems like we were hardly ever satisfied with having just one of each kind, either. We had lots of rabbits, finches, two parakeets, TONS of kittens and cats, dogs, sheep.....talk about adventures! What fun!!!

My Mom is sentimental. She saves nearly everything :) She still has my toys from when I was little. Even though it means she has a lot of stuff, which I don't like for her-I must admit that I love seeing my old toys! And as much as I wouldn't want a house full of things-I love her house. I love to visit there, and just sit and talk with her.

------------------------------------

When I grew older, my mom and I became wonderful friends. Oh the times we had! Movie nights, McDonald's trips, various events to prepare and plan for together-long drives to Dallas together....

Then the time came for me to get married.

Our relationship changed after that. There were painful times as we all adjusted-but at the end of that "adjustment period" things turned out so beautifully-better then ever, actually!

My mom still sacrifices for me, to this very day. She has given of her self, her time, her money-even letting me use "her car" so that I can go places, while she stays home.

She always is willing to listen to me talk-about things that make me sad, happy-or things I'm confused about. She offers good advice too! I love to talk to my mom. Whether it's about an important spiritual or family topic-or just chit chat. We aren't phone people - but we love to talk in person or on IM.

Then the happy day came when we made her a Grandma-or in her case, a "Grandmerry"

I have to say she thrives being a Grandmerry! And such a Grandma she is! I know she loves my son-and I love to see that love in action! I love to watch them together. I'm so grateful for the influence of my mom on my son's life. I'm so happy to see them together.

Mama, I want you to know you are loved.

I want you to know that your life thus far has not been in vain. You have spent nearly 31 years walking beside and encouraging your husband. You have spent over 27 years caring for, training and loving your two children. You have spent a little over 1 and 1/2 years pouring yourself out for your grandchildren - you have been pouring yourself out for people for your entire life-from the time you were 5 and caring for your siblings, until this very day.....

You have made a difference - God is using you - and I love and appreciate you so very much!

I know it wasn't always easy, but there are many grateful people for what you did-and what you are doing now! Not just your children and your husband, but your children-in-law, your grandchildren, and many, many dear friends!

May God bless you on your birthday! May It be a truly wonderful day for you, and may you feel loved and special-because you are! I don't know what I would do without you!

Happy Birthday ~ I love you, Mama!!!!