Happy B-day Mom!

My Mom is an amazing woman and I see the evidence of this with each passing year. Mom and Dad were married when she was 19 years old and she had all four of us kids by the time she was 24.

Dad worked a lot of 16’s so Mom could be at home with us. My Mom did not get her drivers license until she was 27, but at the time we only had one car…and so it didn’t make much of a difference in being able to go places. Our house had a great location…we could walk to school, church, the pool, the Hockey arena, the movie theatre, and pretty much any place we wanted to go.

We did not have a lot of money…but we never went hungry and we always had fun. Mom is one of the best money managers I have ever met…she can make a dollar stretch farther than anyone I know. When I realize how much money Dad only made over the years and how we survived is a miracle and a true testimony to God’s faithfulness.

Mom and Dad made sure all of went to the dentist twice a year (insurance did not cover), we all ended up with glasses, and some of us had braces. Mom and Dad sacrificed so many things so that we would not go without the basic essentials they felt were important for their children to have.

We never went on a major family trip and most of the fun we had growing up did not require a lot of money. But I do not feel like I was deprived. I have so many fond memories of my growing up years. We had our sibling squabbles..but we really did enjoy spending time with each other. All of the neighborhood kids liked to hang out at our house…because Mom always made them feel welcomed and special. She took the time to listen to their challenges too. One of my brothers’ friends called our house the cozy cottage. I think that explains why our friends were drawn there. We did not have the lastest gadgets or most expensive toys. Our house was filled with warmth and love. God was the center of our homelife. We had family devotions and it did not matter who was visiting they became a part of it. I would like to say that I didn’t feel apprehensive of what our friends might think…but many of them thought it was really cool that our family prayed together.

Mom gave us something far more valuable than anything money could buy…she gave us her time and her love. Mom never put herself before any of us…I can only imagine how tired she must have been at times. She poured herself into raising us kids, and I am so grateful and thankful for everything she did for me.

As I get older, I realize not everyone was as fortunate as I was to have a Mother like mine. My parents have been a gift from the Lord to me…they taught me about family, love, and most importantly to have faith in God.

My Mom is always there for me and I cherish the time I get to spend with her almost every day on the phone. It is hard to live so far away from my parents but through the wonder of the internet and great phone plans we are able to communicate a lot. My boys talk to Grandma and Grandpa a lot. My Mom find great joy in listening to Jacob’s corny jokes and she loves just listening to them life. She is showing them an important lesson about time…just spending time enjoying the simple moments with them.

I love you, Mom.