Happy Thanksgiving & Happy Birthday Mom!
MOM
This is my gift to you, since I can’t be there to celebrate with you on your birthday.
I send all my love to you, Dad and the rest of the fam. Please eat delicious food for me!
Since it’s a tradition on Thanksgiving to celebrate the things you are thankful for, here is a list of things I’m thankful for about YOU.
I’m Thankful for Your Constant Encouragement
Aside from Jesus, of course, you are my biggest source of encouragement. I come to you a lot when I’m struggling, when I’m scared, when I’m tired, wanting to go home and close to bursting. When most people would turn me away and not want to deal with me, you come in with the most encouraging words. Your encouragement is both comforting and convicting. It’s not always easy to hear because it is stuff I know is true but do not want to believe. Going along with that…
I’m Thankful for You Telling Me the Hard Things
I get into moods where I only focus on one situation until it consumes my mind and thoughts, which makes me go crazy (I’m working on this). When I come to you freaking out and at my end, you say those hard things I need to hear. “Bailey, you’re being stupid.” Or “Bailey, shut up and talk to Jesus.” Well, you don’t say it like that, but I know you want to sometimes. Thank you for being willing to call me out during those times; it may not seem like I appreciate your words and wisdom at the time, but I really do. You say exactly what I need to hear to get out of my funk and feelings. Thank you for knowing me enough to do that.
I’m Thankful for the Way You Love Me
I would think this would be a given, but I want you to know that I feel loved by you. Every word, every look, every meal and every gift – I feel loved by you. There is nothing more you could do for me that would show your love. I may fail at loving you sometimes, but I am learning to be better. There are so many different ways that your love shows and it never fails to make me smile. I feel appreciated, loved, and cared for by you. One of my favorite examples of the way you love me is the verses written in my sleeping gear. Seeing the Bible verses in my pillow, Eno, sleeping liner and tent always makes me cry because it shows how much you truly love me. You took the time to get my stuff, pick the perfect verses and write them out. It’s seems like the smallest action, but it means the most to me. Every time I see the verses, it’s a reminder of your love. Thank you for that.
The biggest way you have shown me love recently is through the time you take to do little things for me: writing Bible verses in my sleeping gear, texting me back and forth about the same issues five times before it is resolved, or looking up college information for me. All of those things are so little compared to the things you have done for me, but these are the ones I appreciate the most. You could choose to say no to me and push me aside because you don’t have time, but you don’t. You choose to say yes and take the time for me. I am so thankful for that
I’m Thankful for You Allowing Me to Live my Own Life
This goes for you and Dad! I am so thankful for the way you raised me and the freedom I have. You and Dad allowed me to be ME. I feel fully capable of making my own decisions and know you and Dad would support me (as long as it wasn’t absolutely crazy). I know you didn’t want me to get my nosed pierced or tattoo my body, but you supported me anyways knowing that is what I wanted. I am so thankful for you allowing me to live my own life, make my own choices, and live out my dreams. Thank you for gracefully guiding me towards the right paths. I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for you and Dad’s wisdom and guidance. You will never understand my gratitude for all of this!
I’m Thankful for You Being my Ultimate Role Model
Thank you for being an incredible example of a mother, wife, sister, friend and Christ follower. I’ve watched you go through hard times with your head held high and I’ve seen you rejoice in the best of times. You always hold yourself with such grace, beauty and dignity. I see you as a Proverbs 31 woman, who is far more precious than rubies (Pro 31:10). I am blessed by the way you live your life and ultimately blessed by you. You have shown me what true strength looks like. You have shown me what being a caretaker looks like, what a dedicated mother and wife looks like, and what an amazing friends is. I am so incredibly blessed to call you my Mom.
Speed Round of Thankfulness; I’m thankful for
Your chocolate chip cookies
Your healthy home cooked meals (imagine that)
Your cuteness & sassiness
Your craftiness
Nights/days we spent watching Netflix with you
Days of shopping and coffee and sushi
Of course there are more things I am thankful for, but these are just a few of the biggest and my favorites. Mom, you are so dear to my heart as well as God’s heart. My prayer for you is that during this time, your relationship with Jesus will flourish. It’s time for you to rejoice and be glad because you are victorious in Christ. He has given you freedom and you have been healed, so it’s time for rejoicing! I miss you so so much. I don’t want to wish my trip away, but I can’t wait to go on one of our coffee and shopping dates. I look forward to our conversations and I can’t wait to hear about what God is doing in your life and how you have grown. I miss you, Mama, more than you would know!
With all my love,
Your favorite daughter (;
