Thank you for working so hard as a single mom to care for me, feed me, provide for me, nurture me, and shelter me.
Thank you for seeing the value of an early Christian education and sending me to a private Christian school in my early years. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” My foundation was crucial, and I am so thankful for it.
Thank you for sending me to Charm School so I could learn how to be a young lady. I remember them teaching us proper manners, how to set the table, and other etiquette. I remember not being really hot on having to wear that dress on our last program night, but I did look pretty cute.
Thank you for making us do chores so I would know what it takes to maintain a home. Thank you for teaching me that life is not a free ride, and you have to work at something.
Thank you for being such a good disciplinarian and teaching me right from wrong. You said what you meant, and you meant what you said. I’m not as good at that as you were, but what a great role model I had.
Thank you for raising me to say “Yes, Ma’am” and “No, Ma’am” and “Yes, Sir” and “No, Sir”. You taught me to honor my elders and authority. You taught me respect, and I thank you for that.
Thank you for teaching me how to be a lady. A friend once said, “Your mom is such a classy lady.” I totally agree with that statement. Even though my favorite thing to don are a pair of good jeans, I still know how to be a lady. My name means “woman” after all.
Thank you for always expecting the most from me. I definitely think it drove me harder to do my best and achieve more than I thought possible.
Thank you for warning me about sailors, because they have one in every port. Oh, wait a minute. You were wrong about that one. All jokes aside. Thank you for seeing right away Carl’s gentle soul. Thank you for approving unconditionally to our marriage and for loving him as your own son.
Thank you, Mom, for saying once that I was one of the best people you had ever met, and you weren’t saying that just because you were my mother. It makes it easier to believe in myself knowing I have a mother who believes in me. Happy Mother’s Day, and I love you!
Happy Early Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there! It is the hardest job there is, but what an awesome privilege and blessing it is. God bless each and every one of you.