Today is a celebration of one of my favorite women in the world–my mom. It’s nearing the end of her birthday, but she’s been on my mind all day. Moms are some of the very best things that happen to us as people, especially when they take their title seriously and love like they mean it, as my mom has so diligently done all these years. I think I have wanted to be a mom for so long because she was the example I grew up with. “Mom” was something worth aspiring to ever since she taught me what it meant.

I can’t capture my mom in a blog post–and I won’t even try, but what I will do is honor every year that she’s been mom to me with a reason that I’m so glad God gave us each other:

1. She has sacrificed as much as she can to make sure that we know we are loved–every day of our lives.

2. Her house is always open.

3. She has sewn every costume, quilt, dress, pillow, hair bow, tree skirt, last-minute project necessity and nursery item we’ve ever needed or wanted. (And they are always the best! I mean, these things win awards!)

4. She’ll stay up all night long to throw a party for 70 crazy teenagers if it means her daughters are safe under her roof.

5. She knows how to have a killer dance party in the kitchen.

6. She trusts God enough to let her “little” girl travel the world and dash off to far away places, and she’s always waiting when I (we) get back.

7. She has filled our lives with song from the beginning, cultivating a love for all things musical.

8. She has read us book after book and told story after story, shaping a love for all things written.

9. She makes up songs and reminds us of them forever–even at baby showers when we’re all grown up 🙂 And she’s never afraid to sing them.

10. At her house, there’s always a pillow and a lap and time for back rubs and playing with hair while we catch up.

11. She’s stayed up SO many late nights to talk me through my high school and college years, to lend company while I’ve worked way too late on homework projects, and to share Oreos and milk over Friend’s episodes and reruns (and reruns again).

12. She remembers all of the important things, like hairpieces and ballet slippers and the right tights for every performance.

13. She never tires of being a mom, even if she’s way too tired.

14. She leaves a special place in her heart at all times for her children–biological AND by marriage.

15. She’s a prayer warrior.

16. She keeps trying, keeps pursuing, keeps trusting.

17. She can console from 8,500 miles away. (And she has a mother’s instinct from that far away, too.)

18. She laughs at what’s funny and cries at what’s sad, and she’s not ashamed of either.

19. She has a heart for the world, even if she hasn’t had every opportunity to explore it in person yet.

20. Her needs are simple. God, family, love, respect and a dose of nature. (And maybe a little bit of chocolate for good measure:)

21. She makes the BEST chicken noodle soup, and has it waiting on the stove for important homecomings.

22. She finds joy in things like magic wands and fireworks and fabric (and grand babies, I think!)

23. She makes triple chocolate fudge cake in miniature, for as many wedding guests as we’ve invited.

24. She nurtures the good, encourages our passions and honors what is lovely.

25. She delights in the Truth.

26. She will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever give up on something she believes in.

27. She’s doctor mom, and always only a phone call away.

28. She is more a grandma to Baby K each and every day 🙂

29. Me: “I love you, Mom!” Mom: ” I love you more!”

As I become a mom, and as this little one takes shape, I catch glimpses–more and more, of what it means to be the kind of mom that mine has been to me. A mom is never perfect. She is flawed and tired and protective and insistent, and at times, absolutely terrified of what the next day will bring. But she is also strong, resilient, confident, and steadfast, and she loves unconditionally, no matter what battles she’ll face because of her title role. She is a daily example, good or bad, and she sets the tone for the lives her children will someday lead. I hope I continue to grow into proof that my mom has always been the very best mom she could strive to be.

It’s true. Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you more than a blog post could ever say, and I’m so excited for you to be a “GRAND” mom oh-so-soon!

bunches, not grapes,

mm