Today is my mom’s birthday. I hate that for the past five years, I’ve never been able to be home with my mom on her birthday. We have to make-do with flowers delivered to her work, beat up packages containing a gift, and the occasional off-tune rendition of “Happy Birthday” on her voice mail. I wish it were different, but for now, that’s how it is.
People say my mom and I look a lot alike. When I was at home for her wedding in May, I came across both of our high school graduation pictures. What do you think?
Anyway, I didn’t come here to post pictures of my mom and me. And I didn’t come here to post pictures of how we’re alike. Because, in fact, we’re quite different. There are so many qualities in her that I admire, that I wish I possessed myself. So many things that come naturally to her that are a struggle to me.
My mom LOVES people. She is kind to everyone, and loves to strike up conversations with someone she’s never met before. I’ve never seen her uncomfortable around people she doesn’t know. To my mother, there are no strangers. Just people she hasn’t met yet.
My mother is also incredibly resilient. When my stepdad died a few years ago, I saw a side of my mom I’ve never seen before. Yes, I saw her grieve. But then, I saw her bloom into this beautiful, independent woman. She was never afraid to show me her sadness–but she also showed me her bravery. And when she remarried a few months ago, I saw a woman who was constantly renewed and healed by God.
Mom also has this beautiful, gentle spirit. For about ten years, my mom babysat out of her home. She cared for those children like they were her own. And they weren’t all very lovable. But she was patient and loving, and those kids loved her, their “Nini.”
So Happy Birthday, Mom! I’m still learning from you, every day.
Wow! You guys really do look a lot alike.