(It’s her Birthday!!)
Mum,
Happy Birthday! May you find yourself today with lots of gratitude for your life, the way I do. Truly, there’s no gift I could give you that would encompass all of the gratitude I have for you in my life. There’s no gift that could match all that you have given to me. Yet maybe we can share in the gift of gratitude as I reflect on a few of my favorite things you’ve gifted me over the years:
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The love of some really good tunes. From the time I can remember, we have been rocking out and belting out some really fun music. From the classics of Shania Twain to The Judds to Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw. I love our connection to music and the many days we have spent just enjoying the day with some really fun music in the background.
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The desire to chase adventure and a “we just gotta have more fun” additude. There’s not one bad adventurous memory in our past. Not even the day we took my Renegade off roading and nearly didn’t return when we found ourselves lost in the Maine woods. From family trips, to watching Dad raft by at Carry Brook many years ago, to day trips exploring Maine, I never get tired of adventures with you.
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The ability to make it happen, whatever it is. Your profound ability to “get it done” is inspiring. I hope someday I can be a mom who helps her kids the way you have always helped us accomplish the not so fun tasks of life. Whether it be cleaning, filing or “pushing papers” you always make it look so easy.
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The love of a really good drink and an even better snack. Can’t wait to celebrate with this one when I get home! I love all of our afternoons on the porch of camp or your house, enjoying a cold beverage and a good healthy dose of chips and salsa or crackers and cheese.
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The never-ending support. This one gets me. No matter how difficult we make it on you, me, Dad or Lindsey, you’re ALWAYS willing to give a helping hand to accomplish whatever it is. You are there to drive us around, submit that application, move furniture, pick us up when we need a ride to the hospital, ect. I love how you love us well through giving us your best effort to continuously support us.
You resemble that of a Proverbs 31 woman, someone to be respected, honored, and cherished as one of the best gifts life can offer. That’s you!
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”
Proverbs 31: 25-30
Mum, you’re not just my mom, someone who has taught me many life lessons and picked me up off the floor when I’ve fallen down. You’re not just the mom who cooked so many good meals or planned so many fun trips. You’re not just the mom who taught me how to forgive quickly or love with all I have. You’re not just the mom who took me shopping or helped me with paperwork. You’re not just the mom who edited my papers or read over my resume. You’re not just my mom, you’re my friend. Honestly, you’re one of my best friends. You’re a woman I can relate to. You’re a woman I can share my struggles with, in confidence that you will give me your best advice without judgement. You’re a woman I can call on the last minute to go out on the town. You’re a woman I love spending time with. You’re a woman I am so proud of. You’re a woman so dear to me. You’re a woman I love being so much like. You’re a woman of integrity, grit, hard work, perseverance, forgiveness, honor, intelligence, fun, adventure, and a woman who walks in the freedom of who she is. You’re someone I am so grateful and lucky to have in my life. You’re someone I wish I knew how to love better and with less mistakes. You’re someone I can’t wait to meet my children some day. And you’re certainly someone I can’t wait to spend more time with when I get home.
I love you so much Mum! AND I hope you have a truly special, special day and year!!
See you soon!
XOXO,
Savanna
