dear mom.

mama, this is for you.

on this mother's day, i'm reminded that today is more than a hallmark holiday. it's more than the second sunday in may. more than a sing-along card sent in the mail {which, i know, i didn't do} . more than the idealistic celebration of the american mom. because we all know you are so. much. more. than that.

and today means so much more than that.

today is just the beginning. a mere catalyst for remembering all the other days i can't get you out of my mind. all the other days that your opinions, your values, your beliefs and thoughts resonate in my mind throughout my own mothering experience. your sound judgement. your steady strength. your lessons learned. your "just-STOP-it!" attitude {*wink}. it's been there all along and i've been paying attention.

i am thankful for our relationship on a daily basis, quite literally, actually. the Lord knows how grateful i am for His molding and forming our parent-daughter relationship into something so much more. you will forever and always be my mother...the parental influence that is guided by discipline {i will always expect you to keep me on track} and spiritual accountability. in the past, i knew i could come to you with anything because i expected nothing less than the truth...even if it hurt. that shows the kind of respect i have for you as my mom, as a woman, and now, as my bff. i can only pray my girls are guided by the same gift of openness found in me.

to be honest, you made it look so easy. raising children. keeping the house extremely orderly. keeping schedules. homeschooling. shopping. simply keeping it all together. it's like it came so...natural. the joy you have in serving pumps through your veins like your own blood. it seeps even from the smallest smile you make, contagious and ready to spread.

but you've taught me well. i know better than to think mothering is some magic pill you take every morning. it's not a mastered skill you learn in school. it's not fairy dust or bippity-boppity-boo stories. it's teaching. guiding. directing. it's truth. grace. it's virtue lived out...the greatest being love. you gave me the greatest gift any parent can give a child - you gave me the gift of knowing Christ. you gave me love in the purest form. in its truest definition. and now i have the privilege of building that strong foundation in the hearts of my children.

you have left me the greatest legacy.

i love you, mama.

happy mother's day...every day.