Oh Happy Day!

Happy Birthday Snarky Mama!!

Loyal, Beautiful, Sassy, Surprisingly Vulnerable, Witty, Intelligent,

Entirely too Critical of Self, Devoted, Faithful, Brave, Classy

A statistical anomaly. You wouldn't believe me if I told you.

But, one day, I will tell you.

This is the woman you want in your corner. She would fight to the death for you, and ask questions later. She has sacrificed much in her life. Her dreams?

Well for many years, those belonged solely to her children.

Children who love their mother deeply....

A daughter: she taught me to stand firm, to never allow the winds of this world to sway me, she taught me charm and wit, courage and steadfastness, she taught me the importance of telling others they are beautiful

(because what if no one else does),

she instilled in me a love of reading and education,

she believes I can do anything

A son: his mother is his angel, she taught him to value himself, to be okay with marching to the beat of his own drum, she picked her battles with this one and I believe it saved his life, she taught him that if you are doing your best (not someone else's best),

that is all that matters and

you should be proud of the man you are

A son: she taught him strength and courage, his mother taught him that no matter where life takes you, you can always come home, she knows how capable this son is and incessantly reminds him (even though it irritates him to no end),

these two don't believe it, but they are more alike than any of us

And then there is her husband: he worships the ground she walks on,

she is fully herself with him, comfortable in her own skin with him,

they have trudged through the thick and thin of it all.

They are finally writing their story now.

All the kids are grown, and now is their time to embrace.

I couldn't be any happier about that.

I am amazed by my mother's ability to give and give and give.....

often to people who neither acknowledge her,

nor intend to ever return the giving.

Some days I stay infuriated with her because of this behavior.

But deep down, I know it is her greatest Christlike attribute.

Years ago, I would have written off the very people she so willingly and graciously serves.

I have often chastised her for remaining so true...questioning her...

smarting off that she is like a whipped puppy always going back for more.

But today, as I think on these things, I realize I may be wrong.

Maybe she has been blessed with a unique ability to love,

even when that love is uncomfortable and unbelievably difficult.

She loves because (even when it is most painful to do so) it's the right thing to do.

I appreciate her reminding me.

I love you Snarky Mama, have a fabulous day!