To My Amazing Mother and Friend,
Where do I begin? Over the years I
have expressed to you in small detail just how much I appreciate, admire, and
adore you. I don’t think there will ever be a way I can fully express my
feelings but I am going to try my best!
You have been my rock from day one.
You were always compassionate, caring, and patient no matter the circumstance.
When I was little, you were there to encourage me when I was hurt and kiss my
cuts and bruises. (You were always patient with my blood curdling screaming
over the sight of blood…something I am
now IMPATIENTLY experiencing with my own
daughter! J )
When my friends would leave me alone at the playground, make fun of the way I
looked, or make me feel insecure, you were always there. When I was in my
awkward tween years figuring out who I was, trying to find my place socially, and
entering the intimidating world of middle school, you were always there. When I
went to high school and faced the hardest years of my life thus far, with the
peer pressure, the cattiness, the heartbreak, and the failures, you were always
there. You have been there every step of the way, encouraging me, reminding me
that I am “Fearfully and wonderfully made”, and showing me unconditional love
in a very conditional world. No matter what I faced outside of my home, I knew
I had love and security as soon as I returned. You and Daddy provided such a
strong foundation for all of us, and as I have grown up I realize just how
incredibly blessed we were to have that.
When I made mistakes you never judged, got upset, or made me
feel ashamed. You opened your arms and ears and allowed for my inadequacies and
poor choices, offering encouragement and a fountain of wisdom over the years
that was key to keeping me afloat when I would have otherwise “gone under” and
followed the world. To this day, you are my one friend that I can always turn to
and share my hurts, frustrations, and joys with. I know I probably annoy you
most days, but you never turn down a phone call from me, never act too busy to
hear me even in the simplest of complaints. You are honest with me, even when
it hurts, and because of you I continue to mature and grow as an adult and even
more so in my faith.
You have always modeled such an incredible example of love,
selflessness, patience, strength and courage. I have never seen someone endure
so many heart aches and yet still remain so faithful and sacrificial towards
those around her. Even at your weakest points, while enduring two bouts with
cancer, feeling constantly sick, exhausted, and undoubtedly discouraged… you
never let it show. You stayed strong and put all of us first, taking care of
our needs over your own. To this day I
wish God would have allowed all of that to happen when I was older so I could
have been more aware of what you were going through and less selfish about my
own needs. When most would have given up, you instead turned back to God and
allowed Him to use you in mighty ways with those around you. He is still
continuing to use you. Like Paul, He just doesn’t seem to want to remove that
“thorn “ in your side, and even though I know there are many days you feel
overwhelmed, exhausted, and discouraged, you STILL focus on the needs of those
around you over yourself. You choose to listen rather than talk (even when you
should!), you choose to serve even when the pain is unbearable, you choose to
show joy even when the king of this world gives you every reason to give up.
You my amazing mother, are the best example I have ever known of what it means
to follow Christ, to die to self, and to live a life of love in obedience to
our Awesome God.
When I think of whom I want to be for my kids, I strive to
be like you. If I can be even half the mother (and wife) you have been to us, I
will be satisfied. I pray I model the same faithfulness, strength and virtue
that you have shown us our entire lives. You are an incredible wife, mother,
sister and friend. Now that I am old enough, and now that I know you OH so
well, I pray God can use me to encourage you, support you, and lift you up like
you have done for me over the past 27 years. It’s my turn to serve you Mama,
and whether you like it or not, you will let me. Thank you for all you have
done and continue to do. Thank you for modeling such an incredible example and
never giving up on any of us! You are not only my mother, but my best friend and
sister in Christ, and I know I wouldn’t have made it this far without you. I
hope you know how much I love you!! Happy Mother’s Day to the most amazing
mother a girl could as for! I love you!!!
Cori
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