Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

Day 19

This is a very difficult one for me to write; I have been wrestling with it all day.  You see, today is my mother's birthday; she is 81.  She is also in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's, and we live halfway across the country from one another.  I guess I am struggling with writing this because I feel guilty.  I am so thankful for my mother, but I wasn't always.  We clashed a lot when I was growing up, and I didn't appreciate her.  I know that is true of many mothers and daughters, but it doesn't make it any less shameful.  When I grew up we got on much better and genuinely liked as well as respected each other, but I still don't think I truly appreciated her.  When my dad died I worried that he had been the glue that held us together; he loved both of us so much, and we both adored him.  We saw each other through it though.  Then she began slipping away and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.  

I realize now what a precious gift of God she is and how blessed I am to be her child.

• she suffered a lot in her life, and her steadfast faith and trust in God was a shining example
• she was a prayer warrior
• she gave me a love for reading and learning
• she loved and respected my father
• she taught me how to knit and read music and make jam

~ Happy Birthday, Mama, and thank you!