dear momma,
You’re the reason I’m ALIVE! without you, i wouldn’t exist on this planet earth. I wouldn’t have taken my first steps, spoken my first words, or laughed for all of the days leading up to this one without you.
You’re the reason i’m strong. I’m strong because you are. I’ll start with how you carried not only I, but 3 OTHER BABY LADIES in your tummy for nine whole months. Literally creating life, and giving us the chance to live it out.
I’m strong because your strength has been on display to me since day one. Seeing you fall and stand back up 10 feet taller has taught me to stand up even higher than I did before I fell.
I’m strong because having gone through heartbreak, and divorce, grief, and loss – you continuously shown me what it looks like to have a spice for life despite your circumstances. You’ve taught me humility and grace, selflessness and dignity, like I’ve never seen before.
I’m smart because you’ve taught me. You’ve taught me to never take the last piece of pizza, to hold the door open for people to walk through, to protect the girls by putting them on the inside of the sidewalk, to say my please and thank you’s. You’ve taught me to go to school after a long night of tears and my very first heartbreak, to show him what I’m made of. You’ve taught me to seek perspective, and to never choose favorites because there’s something to favor in everyone, to not only chase after my dreams but never stop running. You’ve taught me to continue taking medicine EVEN AFTER I start feeling better, that everyone could use a little taco bell at any time of the night, and what it looks like to have strength when your entire body is screaming “give up.” You’ve taught me that you don’t need to be a mom to ducks of your own, in order to take in other little duckies along the way. You’ve shown me the definition of loving with all that you’ve got. You’ve taught me so much, and it’s you that’s made me, me. I’m thankful for that.
You’re my mom, but you’re also my best friend, the jimmy to my bag of doughnuts, my comforter when I’m sick, my biggest supporter, the first one to stand and scream when I do anything that makes you proud, the person who not only cheers me on when I run the race but runs it alongside me. You’ve played the roles of so many family members it’s hard to keep track.
Momma, you’ve done a whole lot for me. More than I could comprehend, more than I could even begin to thank you for. I’m writing this in celebration of you.
Since I’ve begun this journey, between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, I’ve seen women. Strong, humble, dignified, women, who walk humbly in honor and sacrifice. I’ve spoke Proverbs 31 over some of these women. Thanking God for the women they’ve been to their families and friends, to everyone in their paths of life, but momma; Right now, I speak Proverbs 31 over you. These words come to life when you read them and begin to believe them. This is truth, this is life. This is what I think of you momma, with everything in me. Today, and the days that have passed, as well as the days to come, but today ESPECIALLY, I celebrate you. For the woman you are, and the woman you’ve taught me to be. Happy Happy birthday, I love you.
Proverbs 31
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
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.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
I hope that you remember these words forever. That you don’t let the world around you define who you are but this truth right here. You’re the bestest estest estest, and I hope you love today. I wish you lots of pumpkin scented candles and cozy socks, but I also pray you remember that I am honoring you for all that you’ve done, and all you will continue to do until your last day here on earth. I LOVE YOU!!!!
