Celebrating her

I doubt her actual birth was greatly celebrated. She may have even been born within the confines of her modest home. But today I am celebrating greatly. There were likely a couple of special aunts who came to welcome the newest addition to their family. Things were very different at that time and in that place. I don't know many details. I do know that, although it seems rather backward, one can be very proud of some one who is their respected authority. And I am so proud of her. I know that in her early years she didn't have the indulgence of indoor plumbing, even though she was born only 54 years ago. I know that she was left to do what she wanted and never watched very closely. I know that she had to find alot of things out the hard way. I know that she had to grow up way too early. I know that she has scars she never talks about. I know that alot of these things make up who she is today. I know that alot of these things make up who I am today. I know that she ran away when she was just a young girl. I know that more time went by, with no one even noticing she was gone, than ever should have. I know that she craved care and attention. I know that from an early age God was pursuing her in numerous ways. I know that she was very naive and young when she found out that a baby was on the way. I know that she made a very noble, albeit to this day painful, decision. For life. For a life she couldn't provide for at 16. For the opportunity for some one else to provide life and love to a child who had no choice in the matter. I will likely never know that person who is my flesh and blood. But I know the fact that my mother made that choice affects me deeply. And it affects the young women in my community. The girls who come in to the crisis pregnancy center where I work and nervously take that test. Sometimes I look at them and I see her. Years before she would bring me into the world, she started a chain of events that directly touches people here and now. That's a legacy. I know that he was so young, as was she, when they started their walk together. I know that they were both searching. For something. I know that those early years for them were full of hurdles they never thought they would overcome. And that even after the birth of their first child together, the deep chasm between them would only widen. I know that those days were darker than I could ever fathom. And I know when they said good bye they thought it was forever. I know that God got her attention when at age 19 a terrible car accident landed her alone and scared in a hospital room. I know that the deep hole inside of her heart was filled to overflowing. And I am over joyed to know that He glued them back together. And that in the years following, 4 more children were added to their list of blessings.

The last being myself. To the beautiful woman who has impacted me from the day she was born. I love you. I am proud of you on so many levels. You are a hero to me.

Happy birthday mom!

Published with the permission of my sweet mother Patricia.