For Mom

[So we came up with this for Mom's birthday a few weeks ago, but the card was late, and then Mom disappeared into the wilderness for a week or so, blah, blah, blah... here I am just now posting. Regardless, certainly worth sharing...]

You are turning fifty, we ought to celebrate,
But a big party and announcement, you are sure to hate
So we kids have taken another route, a little closer to your style,
In no certain order, '50 things' we did compile

There are times that we remember, each one filled with love,
Moments from the past, and many lessons from above
Good eats from the kitchen, and characteristics we admire,
Cause to be like you, we truly do desire

Could we be this lucky? It would seem too good to be true,
As our Mom, GT, and friend, we know God blessed us with you,
We thank Him for you daily, for the time we have to share
And trust that He will keep you, always in His care

• Constant support and listening ears
• Insisting on dinner together as a family; no distractions
• Corn worms and garden time; sharing your love for growing things
• Morning phone calls on the way to work
• Leadership among ladies at church and involvement in youth, even after we graduated
• Never having to ride the school bus
• Endless flashcard studying
• Our favorite breakfasts: chocolate chip muffins & apple dumplings
• Always encouraging mission work and doing those things we ‘may never have the chance to do again’
• The Special Plate tradition
• College care packages during finals (and just because)
• Constant selflessness; always focused on doing things for others
• Special appreciation of God’s creation and instilling that in us; our time outdoors in the mountains and Colorado trips
• GT book time
• Homemade Halloween costumes from a Ninja Turtle to a mouse & a policeman to Piglet
• Example of Christian wife and mother to many
• Teaching confidence in who we are; no need for makeup, earrings, etc., the inside is what matters
• Real Christmas trees every year, be they big or small
• Admiration of the little things in life
• Never missing church and always being ready on time
• After-school snacks in the turtle and car tupperware bowls
• Desire for simplicity
• Teaching us the basics before college (laundry and cooking and such)
• Always coming up with personal and thoughtful gifts for others
• Scriptural knowledge and application in every situation
• Mom’s Mexican Meal House
• Consistent, creative discipline and parenting
• Following arrows of pinecones, rocks, and sticks
• Playing in the snow with our hands & feet wrapped in bread sacks
• Love for all of God’s critters
• Contagious laughter that got us sent away from the table on more than one occasion
• Listening to your singing in church
• Being able to make/bake/sew/fix anything
• Pitching practice in M’s back yard
• Three daily home cooked meals
• Cats & Dogs, Pirates & Bulgars, and Hoppers
• Always asking who, what, when, and where
• Desire and passion to share God’s Word with others; time and investment with international friends
• Pulling weeds by the kitchen timer; creative punishment!
• Fun in the kitchen: animal-shaped pancakes and green eggs & ham
• Willingness to help with any project, any time
• Shopping trips and dollar movies
• An “hour each of time with Mom”
• Thumbprint cookies and sausage ball traditions at Christmastime
• Hidden notes and letters in our school lunchboxes & camp suitcases
• Picking mountain strawberries and drying flowers
• Relationship with Dad; always supporting and encouraging no matter what
• The “Mom I’m Bored” book
• More than enough courage and strength to fight life’s battles
• Constant prayer for us and others