The Gift Of A Mother

If you're here for the Hodgepodge you'll find that post by clicking here. 

Today my mother celebrates a milestone birthday. Except because of you know what she's in New Jersey and I'm in South Carolina many many miles away. Boo.

But!! One of the many wonderful things about mothers is they're always close in heart. She'll be well celebrated by my sibs who live nearby, but since she loves to read my blog it seems only right I add something here too.

Without mentioning her actual age (she would not like that at all) here's a list of oh, let's just pick a random number...say 90 things I know-love-appreciate about my mom.

1. she was raised in New Mexico
2. but there's a little bit o' Jersey in her too
3. she's smart
4. still a beauty
5. with a great smile 
6. she loves Jesus
7. taught us to love Him too
8. she took us to church
9. said grace before meals
10. studied her Bible
11. studies it still 
12. knows scripture from memory 
13. loves books
14. especially mysteries
15. and novels set in England
16. she read to us when we were small 
17. and also when we were too big for her lap
18. she's a little bit shy
19. loves words 
20. is an excellent cook
21. taught us all to cook
22. baked Christmas cookies by the hundreds
23. tells a plant to grow and it does 
24. presses a tablecloth to perfection
25. cut out all the paperdoll clothes without snipping off any of the tabs
26. bought a dress for my favorite doll every Christmas
27. bought dresses for my real life daughters every Christmas 
28. brushed out all my tangles
29. listened to all my worries
30. listens to them still
31. prayed for me
32. prays for me still 
33. raised four children
34. is Mema extraordinaire to four grands
35. great-gran to my daughter's darling boys
36. was a caring sister
37. a loving daughter
38. a devoted military wife
39. moved like a boss umpteen times
40. learned to sew
41. do needlework
42. has an artists' eye
43. arranges flowers like a pro
44. started a church library
45. taught Sunday School to young married couples
46. could speak Spanish
47. volunteered in lots of ways
48. kept a super clean house
49. manages a large home still
50. makes the best pan of enchiladas anywhere
51. was a librarian
52. is a good neighbor
53. loves to shop
54. has great style 
55. a perfect complexion
56. she collects angels
57. loves chocolate
58. eating out
59. traveling
60. she set a good example
61. rocked my babies
62. never didn't have time to drop everything and play pretend
63. loved my little girls with all her heart
64. still loves my girls with all her heart 
65. has trouble saying no to my girls
66. really has trouble saying no to my nephew, her only grandson
67. she cried when our dog died
68. solves difficult crossword puzzles
69. is independent
70. determined
71. capable
72. generous
73. loves a cup of tea
74. pretty teapots too
75. ties beautiful bows
76. always did Christmas up big
77. chooses gifts with tender loving care
78. wraps gifts with that same care
79. hung tinsel one single strand at a time
80. sent us to camp
81. loves games
82. hates to lose at games 
83. still plays in her neighborhood bridge club
84. made me feel safe 
85. is always happy to see me
86. talk to me
87. spend time with me
88. is loved beyond measure
89. a part of myself
90. her children call her blessed

...and feel grateful to have grown up and older with a mother like ours.

Happy birthday Mom! We all love you BIG xo