"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."
- Abraham Lincoln
Because I am a horrible daughter, and apparently very forgetful, I did not post this on the actual day that is Mother's Day. So, this is coming one day later...sorry, Mom.
An Ode to Mama:
If there were words to describe my mother, I would use them.
If I could list all of the reasons why I love her, I would.
However, the greatness of my mother knows no bounds.
So, here is my attempt to explain a few ways why my mama means so much to me.
1. She has a servant's heart.
I have never met anyone who has a heart for service bigger than hers.
Whether it's been opening up her home to those who need it, caring for her husband and children, nursing her late parents, providing for those less-fortunate, or serving in her church or community, my mother has always sacrificed her own needs to replace them with those of others. I have never known her to do anything for herself. Her heart truly beats for others.
2. She is SuperMom.
I can't imagine what it must have been like to raise four children all two years apart. (She deserves an extra blessing because Andy and I were smacked right dab in the middle and were only 19 months apart...and let's just say that we were not the easiest kids to handle.) My mother quit her managing position at Princeton Hospital so that she could be a full-time Mom. She devoted her time, money, effort, and love to ensuring that we had the best that life could offer us. She raised us in a godly home, sacrificed thousands of dollars to send us to a private school, and enriched our lives in more ways than I could explain.
3. She is the Proverbs 31 woman.
My mother's act of service is first of all shown through her love for the Lord. She is one of the godliest women that I know. She has undergone more trials and suffering than most people can imagine...yet she never complains. She has devoted her life to the Lord and serves to glorify His kingdom. To add to her list of accomplishments, she has led at least 4 people to the Lord. Because she allowed the Lord to use her, Stephanie Michele, Jennifer Renee, William Andrew, and John David Underwood's names are written in the Book of Life.
4. She is an inspiration.
Many may label my mother as a "goody-two-shoes," but I claim her as my inspiration. She is a woman of strong morals and values and has tried her best to instill those into everyone she knows. I know very few people who can claim that have never smoked or tasted alcohol. I'm not saying those things are bad, but it is inspirational to think that my mother never has. She is so strong and determined that she is never tempted by these things. She sets goals for herself and always achieves them. I hope to one day be at least half of the mother that she is.
5. She is my angel mother.
As good ole Abe stated, "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."
Without her, I would not know how to make peanut butter cookies, drive, tie my shoes, blow a bubble, wash clothes, love, serve, read, curl my hair, respect myself, be modest, make my bed (yeah, still working on that one)...the list goes on and on.
My mother has taught me to set goals for myself, dream, believe in myself, reach my full potential...and never give up. She never allowed me to quit anything as a child because she knew that I needed to learn that life lesson. I am so grateful for my mother and the blessing that she is in my life. I cannot imagine where I would be without her. I owe her more credit than I give and she never complains.
Mama, I love you.
You are my angel, my role-model, my inspiration, my confidant, my best friend.
I would be lost without you.
Thank you for being EXACTLY what I needed.
Every girl says they have the best mother in the world...not that they are wrong, but their mother is certainly not like mine.
