My mom's birthday

Today would have been my mom's 92nd birthday. I celebrated her last birthday here on earth with her 5 years ago. And to say I miss her is an understatement. My mom and I didn't always see eye to eye. I was a daddy's girl. It's not that I didn't get along with my mom growing up, but I'm a lot like my dad. So I didn't always understand or appreciate my mom's take on things until I was an adult and more so now that she is gone.

My mom was a kind, gentle soul. Forever young at heart, up to the very end. I truly believe she never wanted to die. She was fiercely proud of her kids. She hated to see us go as we grew up and left home and when we'd come to visit and left to go back to our own homes and lives. She loved and spoiled her grandchildren like a pro! She was a wonderful grandparent.

My parents had a 50/50 marriage. They argued and had their share of tough times. But they respected each other, treated each other how they wanted to be treated. They still had the newness that often gets lost and forgotten even after 50 years of marriage. They had fun together. And my dad always told my mom that he never knew happiness until he met and married her. He would bring her chocolate and flowers for no reason, a lot. She would make his favorite meals, shine his shoes and make sure the car was sparkling clean-all things my dad loved. Dad would build things for mom, including a house! They farmed together, making a living off of the land and raised livestock. And they raised five kids together! My parents would always make every birthday and anniversary a special day from start to finish for each other. It was always fun to watch and hear about.

So after my dad died I felt a responsibility to be there for mom on her birthday if I could. To help her through the tough days and the important days. This included  me often taking a day off of work, driving four hours, spending as much time as I could with mom (usually ham and pineapple pizza or Chinese buffet and of course strawberries!) and then I would drive four hours back to my home and family. I would do it all over again, in a heartbeat. Great memories.

My mom was a kind and soft-hearted soul. I only saw her angry a handful of times. She would discipline us kids but we always knew she loved us fiercely and wanted nothing but the best. We were all raised the same but all turned out differently. It's amazing how that works out.

 My heart is always a little sad and heavy when this date rolls around every year. I miss my mom, mainly to talk with, I can still hear her voice. The older I got the more I valued her wisdom, knowledge and insight. And the one thing I keep trying to strive for as I continue my journey is the phrase I heard dozens of times at my mom's visitation and funeral....grace. She was a woman of grace, without a double.

So today I'll find something to do in my mom's memory, even if it's just writing this blog, although strawberries sound good. My mom was one of my biggest fans when it came to my writing-I think it made her proud! So here's to grace, she set the bar high and I'm not sure if I can ever achieve her level but I'm so blessed that God chose to make her my mom.