Abundant Blessings Homestead

Today is a very special day...it's my beloved Mom's birthday!!!! I so miss her on special days like this...

Mom always made our birthdays extra special. We didn't have extra money while I was growing up...we were dairy farmers....'nuff said! But, that didn't matter. We got to have whatever we chose for supper...and a special cake. Mom came up with an idea to make a sheet cake, and frost it with Cool Whip. Oh, what a tasty treat! (Oddly enough..this is what Rebecca has requested for her cake this year...)

The day was our day...all about that birthday person. We always had a family gathering and it was sure a highlight of our year!! I'm sure my love of throwing parties started with those birthday celebrations!!! My all time biggest memory was a surprise party she threw for me when I turned 7, I believe. It was held in my sweet Aunt Di's basement. What a surprise it was for me!!!

What can I say about my Mom? She completely supports and loves me. I'm sure some of my decisions have come as a surprise to her. But, she never told me my decisions were bad...only helped me in those decisions. My Mom has been with me when all of my children were born...and I wouldn't have it any other way. She was in the next room when Rebecca was born...only cause I wasn't with it enough to realize it was her and say, get my Mom! (she arrived right before I started pushing....not the best time to be with it!). Mom has supported our decision to home school from the first mention of it.

And, what a Grammy! She loves to just sit and talk with her grandchildren. She knows each of them so well...cause she takes the time to really get to know them. A most treasured tradition is of baking and decorating sugar cookies each Christmas. Such memories...such a gift to my children.

Mom has taught me much just by living her life in full view of me....the sticking with something to the end, the staying true to your beloved no matter what, the loving your family in spite of their weaknesses, the forgiveness of a parent, the strength and tenacity of a Mother, the ability to endure even when life is tough. She didn't have to use words, she used her deeds. And probably didn't even realize the lessons she was teaching.

I so look forward to her and Dad's return when that huge RV pulls into the drive! It's wonderful to have her and Dad here...and to have a friend to go shopping with...or just do nothing with. She doesn't judge me or tell me what to do...she just loves me. She raised me right and let me go when the time came to do so. I can only imagine how hard that must have been for her! I'm getting closer to that day with my children all the time..and I only hope I have the grace to let them go as my Mom did... Thinking about it now...imagine your 19 year old, never been on a date daughter going out on a date with a 28 year old man!   The thought of my daughter doing that is not the easiest thought for me. But, she trusted me, trusted my judgement, and rested in the knowledge that she had given me a firm foundation and now it was time to give me wings.

Mom is now in Florida.....not here so I can wish her a Happy Birthday in person. She's not real thrilled with all that she saw today...she went back to where we are from...and has told me there's really no need for us to return there...things have changed so drastically. I'm sorry her birthday was spent seeing how things have changed...but glad she and Dad had a nice meal and time to see the sights.

I love you, Mom. And I wish you the happiest of birthdays!!!!!