MOM

Today is my Mom's birthday. I miss her like crazy because without a doubt she is the BEST person on this planet. I won't tell you how old she is today, but here are 66 reasons that I love her so much I could bust...

1. She weathered my incredibly jerky teenage years (I am still regretful for how I treated her then)

2. She volunteered to help lead my brownie troupe for 5 years

3. She handled our moving here ok despite I was taking her grand babies and precious son-in-law half way across the world and the only answer I had for most of her questions was "I don't know... we'll see!"

4. She learned how to use video skype so that we could talk and she could see the grand kids

5. She sends up lots of packages with all of the little things that we love

6. She models what it really means to put others first

7. She makes it look effortless

8. When we were little and she had to spank us (well deserved!!), she would line us up and she always started with Alan so her hand was tired by the time she got to me

9. She keeps me up to date on all weddings, funerals, and babies born in the state of Georgia

10. She loves my Daddy and has modeled what marriage and commitment can and should look like after 43 years

11. She doesn't always have to have her way

12. She'll share her opinion if you ask, but she's not pushy about it

13. She laughs at my jokes

14. She acts goofy with me- especially in the evenings when we are slap-happy and put on crazy shows to entertain my Dad (he is rarely entertained by this nonsense!)

15. When I was a senior in high school she bought me the prom dress of my dreams even though it was too expensive

16. She looks cute in her Keds

17. She says Noah-er and Cinder-rillah but she in not a redneck

18. She treats everyone with love and respect

19. At Christmas time she bakes enough goodies to feed half of Cambodia, wraps them up beautifully, and delivers them to friends, neighbors, and people who many others have probably forgotten about.

20. She was the treasurer of her Sunday School class for more than 20 years

21. You never have to ask her twice for help

22. But, she will share all information with you 3 times

23. She reminds me to write my thank you notes

24. She is not nosey and does not gossip

25. She is content with what life has handed her

26. She serves her family faithfully and selflessly

27. Truly, I have never met anyone so self-less

28. She loves to give gifts

29. She is patient, or at least makes you think she is

30. When I was in high school and dating Justin all I could think about was myself- she still tried to engage me and was nice and patient with me

31. She came to every soccer game that my brothers and I ever played in

32. One time on Christmas morning she was suffering from terrible pain from cysts and various other abdominal lady problems, but she would not let my Dad take her to the hospital because she did not want to ruin Christmas. He had to force her to go, and she ended up needing major surgery

33. She begged me not to cut my beautiful long hair when I was in second grade, but ultimately she let me get it cut... she was right- the girl mullet (made worse by a perm) was a look I regret! (Not that you didn't do a great job, Mrs. Ramona!)

34. She talks to babies in the grocery store

35. She loves her grandchildren and would love to tell you all about them... do you have an hour or three?

36. She is beautiful, truly gorgeous! When I was in seventh grade she had a conference with my MILE teacher Mr. Mills. The next day his only comment about the conference was, "your Mom is beautiful!!". At the time I thought it was weird and gross. Now, I'm like, heck yeah, she's beautiful!!

37. She can flat out cook

38. She does not waste money, but she's not afraid to splurge once and awhile

39. She is fun to talk to

40. On trips, she never just drives from point A to Point B. She stops to see interesting things along the way

41. When her 18 year old daughter began talking about marriage she calmly laid out all of the reasons to wait, but ultimately let me make my own decision. And even though it was not how she would have planned it, she supported me, helped me plan the wedding, and even paid for most of it out of her pocket

42. When she is with her grandchildren she has more energy than most 10 year olds

43. She has real conversations with the grand kids. She doesn't baby talk them or talk down to them. She listens to them and truly cares about what they care about

44. She throws a family party for your birthday and will make whatever you want to eat

45. She isn't all wrapped up in what others think of her

46. She sends Justin lemonheads because they are his favorite

47. She talks nicely about others

48. She helps others

49. If she knows you have a need or anticipates that you will have a need she will do her best to help with it

50. Every Sunday morning she drug my brothers and I (usually kicking and screaming) by herself to church. She introduced us to God

51. She works part time so that she has extra fun money that is usually spent on others

52. She is a loyal friend

53. She treats her daughter in law, son's girlfriend, and son in law like they are her own

54. She enjoys a good spoon full of peanut butter every now and again

55. She made my lunch every day and did every piece of my laundry until the day I left for college. She still does it for us when we come home. And she would even iron my outfits.

56. Sweet mercy... she spoiled me!

57. If you are having any type of event and ask her to bring a bit of food, chances are she will practically cater the event

58. She taught me the most important rule in cooking- double the meat, cheese, and/or chocolate in any recipe that you plan to serve other people

59. She has made cheeseburgers every Friday night since before I can remember, and now we have cheeseburger night in our home

60. She still kisses my Daddy

61. She does not complain- ever!

62. She keeps things in order

63. She does not need the latest and greatest thing or whatever has the most bells and whistles- she is content

64. She often laughs so hard she cries

65. She has a signature cough. Whenever we did a performance, play, or whatever, if we could not see her all we had to do was wait until about half way through. At that time we could always hear her cough. It is absolutely distinct

66. She is my best friend. She is the one I want to call first when something is good or bad. She is the one my hearts longs to see most. She is the one who has helped to make my life great. Everything I have and am (the good stuff) is because she nurtured me and did her best to raise me. And at some point she magically changed from Mom to Mom and friend. And thankful isn't a big enough word to say what I am for my Mom!

Happy Birthday, Mommy. I love you more than words can express!