Happy Birthday, Mom!

My mom turned 52 yesterday. She's amazingly young to have accomplished all she's already done in her life!

Is it not difficult for children to realize that their mom actually lived before they were born? She did. And yet she makes them think that her world was empty without them.

She acts as though it is suddenly her greatest mission in life to clean, cook, love, pray, hold, nurture, teach, cuddle, plan, discipline, worry, think, protect... all to fulfill the life-long assignment for which she had only 9 uncomfortable months to train.

And that's just the beginning. Singing small songs, reading small books, serving small tea parties, comforting small sorrows, cheerleading small victories, reffing small fights, preaching small sermons, playing small games, making small picnics.

And then making the decision to sacrifice all of her free time for her children's education.

For 5 children, she was and is their pre-school through high-school teacher. A whole new dimension to the word "homeroom."

For her high-school sweetheart, she was and is his everything.

She is a loving counselor, role model, and the best example of living a life of faith in Jesus Christ. Graceful as ever, she accepted a new role this year. That of a mother-in-law.

She changes with the times, and yet doesn't allow time to change her.

Yes. She's my mom.

If only I could be like her one day.