Last year on Mother’s Day I graduated with my master’s from UNC, and I was surrounded by friends, family, and, most importantly, MY MOM.
It was a day focused on me and my classmates, but in my heart I knew that it was her day.
See, my mom is the best and I would have never achieved a master’s degree without her!
She played a major part in my grad school graduation and she continues to play a HUGE part in my life, even on the World Race. My mom is one of those moms who is always there. She is there when I need her and when I think I don’t. She is an amazing woman of God who has shaped my growth and maturity. She has poured out her love on me during the last 25 years and I am grateful to be able to experience the love of a mother like mine.
Here is a snippet of the amazing love that my mom has shown over the last 25 years.
In elementary school she supported any and all endeavors that I wanted to explore: girl scouts, tee ball, soccer, dance, music, etc. If I had a desire to try something, she made it happen.
She is supportive.
In middle school when I was trying to be an individual, she allowed me to walk out the house wearing a Princess t-shirt with my daily ponytail. She let me express myself and weed through the different personalities that I thought were me! She didn’t laugh and say I told you so when my Lee Pipe jeans were a bust, instead she would hug me and shower her love on my complete lack of style.
She is humble.
During my high school years, she would stay up late to help me with my homework, even when it was my fault that I had procrastinated. Many times she would crack open a Sundrop for me as I spent my nights consumed in Calculus and English papers.
She is dependable.
When I left for college, she still found a way to be there. She sat in the stands, cheering, at almost every volleyball game, no matter how far the drive, she was there.
She is dedicated.
When I battled the swine flu in college, she drove to Greensboro and nursed me back to health. There was never a hesitation that she was coming and would stay until I was up on my feet, 100%.
She is nurturing.
During my two years of graduate school, she was on the other end of the phone when I would freak out and start crying over my thesis. She spoke wisdom about major life decisions and found ways to pour out love and discernment from the other side of the state.
She is reliable.
While spending 11 months on the mission field, she has handled my bank account, taxes, and many other things at home. She is always there when I email her with a request and she was even with me on the field last week in the Dominican Republic. She was walking down dirt roads praying with me, being a part of the most important year of my life.
She is selfless.
There is not a part of my life where she hasn’t been present, ready with a big hug and kiss.
The hardest thing about Mother’s Day this year was that I wasn’t there. I wasn’t there to hug her and say thank you. I wasn’t there to fix her lunch, get a pedicure, and shower her with the love that she deserves. She has always been there for me, so in my physical absence, I figured this was one way to say thank you and I love you.
Mommy, thank you for loving me so well and being the best mother I could ever ask for. Thank you for showing me Jesus in your actions and words. Thank you for always being there; rain or shine, America or the DR, over the phone or in person, in my celebrations or in my struggles.
THANK YOU and HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
I LOVE YOU
