Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday, well actually it is tomorrow, kind of. Her birthday is technically February 29th, but we have to wait till next year to have a true birthday. I love my mom, but don't do enough for her. I was a bad daughter this year and did not get a card out. At least I made a phone call though! I am glad my mom is understanding and does not get upset at these faults of mine. This is just one of the many things I love about her.

I did spend quite a bit of time this morning reflecting on the things I admire most about my mom and love about her. I could go on and on about how caring she is and how self sacrificing she is and how gracious she is to me and all those who don't deserve it. She gives and gives and then gives some more. So many great qualities that I wish I can inherit from her. I wish I knew how awesome she was while I was growing up. I miss her so much!

Another trait that I most admire in my mom is her level of commitment and dedication she has to many things, but most importantly to God and to church. My mom once shared with me that when she was in nurses training at Grand View Hospital, she did not have a car and had to walk everywhere. My mom told me that she walked every Sunday morning, Sunday nights and Wednesday night prayer service, to go to church. It was about a 4-5 mile walk one way. She did this all the time, until some church people eventually picked her up and took her home. My mom would have walked though even if no one offered a ride. Why? She had a level of commitment, I don't see anymore, anywhere. She was determined to do the right thing even if it was hard. Maybe it was cause my mom grew up poor and always had to walk where she wanted to go and learned to be a dedicated person. Whatever the case, I am so proud of her. Most people I know are not like that. The littlest things get them distracted. There are excuses for everything. I am not trying to cut down anyone but just brag on my mom who is an example for us all.

Thank you mom for all you have shown me in life about how to be a committed and dedicated person. Thanks, for you have not just talked the talk but actually walked the walk! Thank you for all the wonderful things that you are and the wonderful things you do!

Happy Birthday!