For my mom on her birthday...

As my mother and I were running a few weeks ago she said these words, “I was given the best compliment of my life the other day…” before finishing the sentence my mind was already flooded with things that someone could have told her. The possibilities are limitless…

             

They could have spoken of her inner strength, for she is full of strength. When I’ve had my weakest moments, she has always been a rock of steadiness, never wavering…even when I knew it took everything in her to be strong. There has always been strength in her words, when I needed advice on friendships, relationships, or simply motherly advice. There is also strength in her arms, like the moment she caught me as I collapsed at the news of the loss of a best friend.

 Maybe they were referring to her compassion and love for people and for situations. Everyone that knows her will agree that she has a love of people, and for caring for those that she loves. She never thinks to put herself last and others first. I can’t think of a single time that I wasn’t taken care of with compassion. Even on those early mornings when we ran cross-country before school, she always made sure I had a hot breakfast. When I was sick, she was always there making sure she did everything possible to make me feel better. Even when she was sick, she put herself aside and sat next to me all night long while in labor with Kai. 

They could have easily complimented her on her determination because I can’t think of many people that at 49 run their very first marathon. Yet, she did it this past year…having trained for months upon months, she set her mind to a goal and she never gave even an inch of what she wanted to accomplish. Through the 100 degree weather and the freezing rain she still trudged on, mile after mile determined to run that race.

Perhaps they spoke of her loyalty of that to her family and her friends. Luckily, I get to think of her as both, but either way I’m not sure I’ve ever met another person quite as loyal. If you need her, she will be there….even if you don’t need her, more than likely she will still come, just as a supporter. I’ve never had a moment in my life where I thought “oh, I wish my mom were here to experience this with me”…because the truth is, she was right beside me.

There are so many other things that she could have been complimented on, but the end of her sentence went like this….”they told me that if you wanted to see an amazing example of a mother daughter relationship then look at Donna and her girls.”  I couldn’t agree more at this statement. You see, all of these things that I’ve written about can be summed up into one statement….she was there. Over and over and over. She was a part of our life. It’s that simple. I can think back on every emotion that I’ve ever had and she was present for it.

So, mom, on your 50^th birthday I want to thank you for always being a part of my life. Thank you for loving me, caring for me, supporting me, catching me when I fall, crying with me during times of loss, celebrating with me at my victories. I treasure you more than life itself. There will never be a day in my life where I do not need you. I hope today is full of smiles, laughs, and blessings.

Happy, happy, happy birthday, mom.

Ps. I have no idea why of all the images that it chose the bikini pic as the image to display. I also have no idea how to change it, so it's staying that way.