Happy Birthday Mom!

Today's post is in honor of my beautiful Mother's 80th birthday. 

Dear Mom,

     I feel so blessed to be celebrating your 80th birthday today.  Having you for a Mother is the greatest gift I have ever received.  I have given you many birthday gifts over the years but none that can express the extent of appreciation and love I have for you.  These words, from my heart to yours, are all I can give you that even comes close.  And, honestly, there is not enough paper in the world to list all the things I am grateful to you for.   First and foremost, I want to thank you for raising me in a Christian home.  I can't say I was always excited to get up on Sunday mornings for church and Sunday school and Wednesday night prayer meeting but with your gentle nature, you could always make us see the importance.  For that, I am so grateful.  You have been a perfect example for your children and have always shown us unconditional love and support.  I thank you for instilling in me good morals and values that have allowed me to be a productive and positive person. 

     I want to thank you for teaching me patience, kindness and respect for others.  You are the most selfless, thoughtful and generous person I know.  Only after becoming a Mother myself did I realize all the many sacrifices you made for me.  I truly can't thank you enough for that.  I appreciate you providing me with a loving home and making my childhood such a happy one.   I appreciate your advice...everything you have said, and for the times when you said nothing, just listened. I am so grateful for the way in which you disciplined...always calm and patient and always expressing your love.

     You taught me how to be a Mother and Grandmother and you are still teaching me today.  I have immense respect for you and hope you realize what an amazing Mother you are and how grateful I am for your guidance in my life.   I have always heard your Mother is your truest friend and the older I get, the more I realize the truth in that.  I cherish every minute that we spend together and thank you for a lifetime of fun and blessings.  Happy Birthday Mom.  I Love You!

From the bottom of my heart,

Your daughter

    

    

My Mother kept a garden,

A garden of the heart.

She planted all the good things

That gave my life its start.

She turned me to the sunshine

And encouraged me to dream,

Fostering and nurturing

The seeds of self-esteem...

Her constant good example

Always taught me right from wrong -

Markers for my pathway

That will last a lifetime long.

I am my Mother's garden.

I am her legacy -

And I hope today she feels the love

reflected back from me.