Deuteronomy 6:5-9

"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Dear momma,

Thank you....

Thank you for sacrificing your wants to take me to girl scouts, gymnastics, dance, soccer, safety patrol...

For volunteering as classroom parent, as girl scout leader, coach, taxi driver...

Thank you for staying up late to help finish school projects, staying on me to start my homework early, for spending any and all extra money on my dance costumes, sports uniforms, pictures, private lessons.

Thank you for teaching me manners, making me clean up behind myself, staying on me about my room, standing by my side at each dance recital, beauty pageant, soccer game.

For believing in me. You took me to get my license, brushed and curled my hair, put on my make up. You gave me space when I was too stubborn to let you help me.

Thank you for enduring my attitude. You taught me to never leave people out, how to decorate my house, match clothes, and how to host a party.

You gave me the best birthday parties. You made sure I had everything I needed and most things I wanted. You worked long hours to support us. You took each phone call from us, although you had to referee over the phone.

Thank you for giving me a curfew, calling my friends parents. Thank you for not letting me hang around just anyone. For taking the phone away from me, and for giving me consequences.

Thank you for finding me when I wasn't where I was supposed to be, for setting rules and giving me boundaries, for not letting me call boys. I know you were only trying to protect me. You let me go when I thought I knew better, and you accepted be back in, when I was broken and torn.

Thank you for your constant love, even when I pushed you away. Your love always continued. I hurt you, I disobeyed you, and I'm truly sorry. I didn't understand, I only thought I did. Your love, Mom, is so deep for me. I wish I listened more. I wish I cherished the time I had at home with you.

It may have taken me 39 years and 8 children to realize the true sacrifice and love of a mother, but I want you to know that I honor, respect, and love you!