{for my mom} #sol17

Slice of Life is hosted at the Two Writing Teachers

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Today is my Mom's birthday.

And I can't wish her a happy day.

There's a reason ... and it's not what you are thinking.

My Mom is one of the most giving people I know. Right now she is volunteering on a mission trip in Guatemala for the week, and communication is limited. I sent her an email and a text this morning not knowing when or if she will receive them ... so today I'm honoring my Mom!

My Mom is a truly amazing person. She really is! My Mom has always been so giving and thoughtful of others, but since her "official" retirement, she gives and gives and gives even more.

I hope one day to be like her and be giving in so many ways.

My Mom gives of her time.
She volunteers time with her church, hospice care, her care receivers, and tutoring students from local schools.
She spent many, many hours at the Center for Hope.
She gives time just to be with friends, drink a glass a wine, tell stories, and laugh.
She invites friends to a card making class where she creates beautiful cards that she gives to family and friends.

My Mom gives of her words.
Every morning she leaves me (and now Karen too!) a Voxer message, including a TFTD - Thought For The Day to encourage and support us.*
She gives freely of her advice. She takes a step back and looks at the problem from a different lens.
She writes on her blog about her life and participates in SOL, even though she's never been a teacher. She freely gives positive comments too!

My Mom gives of her energy.
She will help when help is needed. Just ask her.
She pushes herself to do what she can to help others, whether it's packing a house, preparing for a garage sale, cleaning out a loved one's personal belongings, time with friends making cards ...
The list goes on and on. I think her giving gives her the energy she needs.

My Mom gives of her creativity.
She crochets prayer shawls to those in need of feeling God's arms around them.
She designs beautiful handcrafted cards that she mails to us on special occasions.
She creates family scrapbook albums capturing memories of our lives and vacations.
She completes needle point projects from detailed art to Christmas stockings hanging on the mantle.

My Mom gives of her patience.
She waits and waits to hear a response from me ...
Wanting to know about the girls and life
but with our busy schedule, it's hard to always reach out.
But yet she is patient.

Even though it's her birthday, she is continuously giving to others.

I pray she is safe and enjoying her time on her mission trip.

I bet she is still celebrating with old and new friends tonight!

Happy, happy birthday, Mom!


*Even though she is away, she created email TFTD that my Dad sends every morning in her absence. Thank you, Dad! Each message helps us get through the day! You both are the best!