Thank You Mom…..Birthday Thoughts For Forward Friday

This week would have marked mom’s 95th birthday and we had planned a monster party for her but sometimes, the best laid plans have to be set aside.

I’m content that mom is at rest and home with Jesus but…… I miss her terribly….. Miss that crazy smile and laughter, the warmth she exuded, one more time to get a hug or have those wrinkly hands touch my face…..

So….. I decided that I would recount some of the thank you’s I would have said had mom be here to enjoy a big birthday bash in her honor.

There are too many but these are just a few.

It struck me to do so when an acquaintance whose dad had passed away recently said how much they wish they could get the time back to tell their parent how they meant to them instead of the complaining and bickering that was their norm.

Oh how hard it must be to live in regret so if we have our parents still in the land of the living or for that matter, the people who are closest and dearest to us, why not tell them how much they mean to us now? As long as it’s day, it’s our opportunity to do so.

So Mom, I Want To Thank You First For Your Charm And Fun Filled Heart.

When things were great and when things weren’t so great, you always could cheer up the hardest heart. My friends always liked coming to our house because you were the deal! The goodies were top notch but what they liked about our house was you.

You could calm down the raging fire inside, liven up an otherwise dormant day or place because you had “It”.

Mom, Thank You For Seeing the Bright Side!

We didn’t always have it easy and there were some tough days that we had to live through but mom, you always seemed to see a bright side to things.

It was like the “Silver Lining” became clear to you long before we could notice it.

Sometimes, Dad couldn’t understand what you saw but you were able many times to “Drag” him along until he saw what you saw. You didn’t diminish the tough challenge or battle, but you elevated the “Light” to help us see that there was another side to the story.

Mom Thank You For Your Desire To Want To Know More.

I didn’t know or comprehend when I was younger but people told me recently what an accomplished Bible Teacher you were. That you were able to break down concepts and truths so that people could understand what the scriptures were saying.

It makes sense now because you had the job and task primarily of helping us with our homework. I suppose you may have wished that you had seat belts to keep us in our chairs while doing it too!!

Because of your drive, it became "Us" too!!

Dad instilled the “had to-no way out of it”, you created the “conditions” to make learning a priority and not a disease to stay away from.

As I think of the last number of years of your life, you still had that want to know more attitude. From the Word Search-Crosswords to reading your Bible, it didn’t leave; you kept it up.

How many times would you ask to find out the meaning of a word so you’d know what it meant? You’d take note of it so you wouldn’t forget it. (You might have forgotten 1 or 2 but we won’t hold it against you!)

Mom Thank You For Showing How To Forgive… Quickly

Thanks mom that you didn’t hold grudges of any kind so they would fester and get out of control but you forgave with the type of grace and beauty that is rarely seen any longer.

It’s not that you were a push over by any means but you would say that too much dirt/soot wrecks the heart of its ability to heal itself of hurts.

You would say that too much dirt/soot wrecks the heart of its ability to heal itself of hurts.

You would intercept me on 2 different occasions when I wanted to get back at those who did me wrong in a terrible, egregious way and you reminded ,me how anger unchecked could get me into situations I never dreamed I could find myself in.

Those interventions kept my heart and hands clean when, if left to my own devices, it could have become a different situation.

Thank You Mom That You Just Didn’t Talk Godly; You Were Godly

So many times, people expect that the facade of a person will crack and we would see the real self. Mom, you lived what you believed with grace, strength, courage and fearlessness.

Mom, you lived what you believed with grace, strength, courage and fearlessness.

I think of how, when dad passed away, you came everywhere with us and Friday nights, you’d be at our youth group meeting and I can’t count how many young people would seek out your wisdom, love and counsel.

You didn’t live life on your own; you lived Jesus from the inside out and it showed. From the many times I could hear you praying at night to see you in action, you lived I believe like Jesus designed you to live.

You weren’t preachy, clique(ish) or self righteous; as humble as they come. From peace maker, truth teller, grace filled, loving to the fullest, you came as advertised.

Thank You Mom That You Filled Us With Joy

Thanks mom that you didn’t give yourself away to everyone and had nothing left for us.

We had the best that you had to offer and we are better for it. To laughing, to counsel, to teaching us about all facets of life, showing us how to live with honor, to spreading joy wherever you were, it just rubbed off.

You would joke and say to people that you took after me but it is apparent that you rubbed off on me.

I am proud to be your son and I only wish I could have had 5 more minutes to bother you, harass you, make you some soup or a tea, go through the Tim’s or A & W drive through to get that order just like you wanted. Maybe, it would be just to tuck you in at night and chatter for 15 minutes or maybe it’s that hug I needed or those wrinkly hands to smack me for whatever I did or didn’t do or just to touch my face again.

September 19th was a great day because that’s the day God decided that the world needed a “Bumble Bea” and you showed up.

Hard beginnings, tough childhood and teen years, ostracized at times but you came out of it better and to coin the phrase, “not bitter”, your spirit and disposition not soiled by the tough patches but a grace, warmth and love that so many have benefited from.

I love you mom and thank you; I wouldn’t be here like I am today if it hadn’t been for you!!

I miss you terribly..

Love, your like minded crazy son!

Dave

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P.S.

But what if it’s not good? That’s a hard reality to face and there is no easy answer to that question. Some have tried to mend the broken fences and sometimes, there is movement and other times not but those decisions are left up to our conscience and state of being. I’ve heard it said that if our loved ones are not with us any longer and peace wasn’t made before they left this earth, maybe writing a letter or something tangible that we can do to close a chapter is worth considering.

If they are still alive, maybe it’s worth the effort to try and find a way to bridge the gaps that are present so we don’t have any regrets.

Something to consider……..