I love you, Mom.

When I think about you, there is more that comes to my mind and heart than just your face. I remember your scent. Your voice. Your smile. Your laughter. The way your fingers tap the steering wheel to the beat of the radio when driving down the road. Your cough that I could recognize even if you were on the other side of the grocery store. Your home cooked meals that you spend hours and even days preparing for your family members. Your selflessness. The fact that you CANNOT get a pedicure without laughing to the point of tears because your feet are so ticklish. The way you begin Christmas shopping for your family and employees ahead of time and even have an organized system for getting all of the gifts wrapped and stacked into their separate piles for the different gatherings and celebrations. The way you take part in some of Dad's hobbies for no other reason than just because you love him. Your Kleenex packets/boxes you always need nearby because you are tenderhearted and can offer up tears of happiness or sorrow at any given point for your friends and even complete strangers. Your love for your children and grandchildren. The dedication you have for your job, coworkers and employees. The fact that you are really funny and enjoy having a good time. The way you help Dad mow the grass (you know... he takes the back yard and you take the front...). Your slippers that you love so much. How insanely fast you are at using a calculator and how good you are at working with any form of numbers. The way you send me email updates on some of our favorite shows because I don't have cable here in Haiti to watch them. The way you love shopping with us just to have a girl's day. How your side cramps up really bad when you laugh really hard sometimes- then you have to stretch it out, which makes us laugh even more. The way you still talk about Jason when he was a little boy and how y'all would take naps for hours before Emily was born.  The way you always sneakily throw in how your feet are so sore in hopes for a really awesome foot massage from me ;) The way you ALWAYS have milk and oreos and creme brule creamer stocked for me when I come home for a visit.

I love you, Mom.

Even still... more than those thoughts cross my mind when I think of you.
You were surprised when you found out you were pregnant with me. Tough times were happening and even more were ahead during your pregnancy with me, and adding another baby to the mix was going to pile more on your already overloaded plate. Yet, your love and dedication allowed you to persevere and keep going. The Lord surrounded you with great friends and even better parents (Pawpaw and Mawmaw of course) to get us through. You were and are so strong. Unbelievably strong. I always have been and always will be inspired by your strength. The strength of any mother is indeed impressive. The strength of MY mother, you, is even more mind boggling. Sometimes when I am struggling to get through the day, I think of you and am encouraged to keep going. I have always seen you keep going. Even when you were/are tired, alone, scared, frustrated or misunderstood. I love that about you.

I love you, Mom.

When I think of you, I remember how you were and are ALWAYS there for me. You and Dad were at EVERY football/basketball game I cheered at. Every show choir performance. Every fundraiser. Every JE Ball.  Any and every school/church/anyotherclubororganizationIwasinvolvedin related performances and gatherings. You came and visited me throughout college and always showed your support through phone calls if you couldn't physically be there.

I love you, Mom.

Every heart break of mine from a friend or a boy or a complete stranger was felt by you also. Anytime I needed to talk, you were and still are not only willing to listen but are even interested in what I have to say. You understand me better than I understand myself many times, and even when you don't quite understand me, you support me. You correct me and encourage me when I am wrong, and are ready to applaud me when I am right.

I love you, Mom.

You don't have to tell me you love me, though you do so many times and I am so grateful for that, because you SHOW me in tons of ways. I have never doubted your love. Never questioned it. Not once.

I love you, Mom.

Your hugs are the best hugs in the entire world. Your sweet kisses on the cheek before bedtime ALWAYS bring the little girl out in me. You still let me sit on your lap too, which is pretty cool if I do say so myself.
You have always done anything and everything you could to make sure I had (all of us had) what I not only needed, but wanted. You and Dad have always given so much for your children and there is no way that could go unseen. Even when money was scarce, I still remember how you would try your best to get what was needed and wanted. Thank you for that.

I love you, Mom.

Now that I am a Mom myself, I see your love for me more clearly and I love you so much deeper than I thought was possible. I sometimes cry holding Elijah knowing that you once did this with me. 

I love you, Mom.

Your love was and still is the most sacrificial love of all- the most dedicated earthly love I have ever known. You have shown me how to love and love deeply. I pray my children see the love in me that I saw and still see in you.

I love you, Mom.

There is so much more I want to say. But let me end with this... I love you so much. You have completed me in so many ways throughout the years. Thank you for being my Mom. I would not have it any other way. 

Happy Mother's Day!

I love you, Mom.