In 2013 our extended family hosted a big celebration for Mother's 90th birthday. Everyone was invited to write a note to her. MANY family members did. I happen to have most of the ones from my branch of the family on my old computer since I volunteered to print them for anybody who wanted me to do so. Here are the ones I had. I wanted to save them online.
Dear Mother,
In the book The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Mitch Albom wrote, “Parents rarely let go of their children, so children let go of them. They move on. They move away. The moments that used to define them - a mother's approval, a father's nod - are covered by moments of their own accomplishments. It is not until much later, as the skin sags and the heart weakens, that children understand; their stories, and all their accomplishments, sit atop the stories of their mothers and fathers, stones upon stones, beneath the waters of their lives.”
As Mr. Albom said, now that my skin is sagging and my heart is likely weakening, I am beginning to much more fully understand that any life accomplishments I might claim are simply stories resting firmly upon yours and Daddy’s stories. These are the stones upon the stones beneath the waters of my life -- all those skills and concepts I didn't realize I was learning and all those life experiences that I never knew I'd be so grateful for.
Thank you, Mother, for the guidance you and have Daddy provided me throughout my life. Martin Luther once said, “In the midst of affliction God counsels, strengthens confirms, nourishes, and favors us. In the same manner parents ought to handle their children.” You have always counseled, strengthened, confirmed, nourished and favored me as Luther advised – and as God does.
Most of all, Mother, thank you for your unconditional love. That love was the cornerstone of my childhood and continues to ground me in my adulthood. It has been given to me every day for a lifetime - and I have accepted this gift as naturally as I have accepted the colorful rain of leaves in autumn and the perky jonquils in the spring. You have always lovingly listened to me when I needed to talk, and you have always lovingly talked to me when I needed to listen. What an empowering thing it is to be the recipient of such unconditional love! Thank you for knowledge of the power of love that I gained through all those wonderful years when I was growing up, being loved and cherished and honored as a unique child of God.
Thank you, Mother and Happy Birthday. I love you!
Joan
********
Grandmom,
Happy 90th
birthday.
Steve
**********
To celebrate our Great Grandmother’s 90th birthday,
we wanted to share 90
things we love about her!!
1. She’s devoted to Christ
2. She loves the Lord
3. She is unashamed of her faith
in Christ
4. She had Gram
5. She loves our Granddaddy
6. She always finds the time to
visit with us when we go to her house
7. She has a beautiful smile
8. She prays
9. She has a strong work ethic
10. She sees the best in people
11. She’s funny without knowing it
(which makes her funnier)
12. She’s amazingly kind to
everyone
13. She’s strong – emotionally and
spiritually
14. She’s a proud Mother, Grandmother,
and Great-Grandmother.
15. She’s amazingly independent
16. She exemplifies unconditional
love
17. She makes the best cornbread
sticks
18. She’s a great cook
19. She’s beautiful
20. She loves her family more than
anything in the world
21. She has a contagious laugh
22. She loves life
23. She never gives up
24. She has a contagious attitude
25. She tells us stories about our
Great Grandfather
26. She tells us stories about our
Gram
27. She tells us stories about
Granddaddy
28. She tells us stories about our
Dad (funny that her side and Dad’s side differ ever so slightly)
29. She was so strong to keep going
after our Great Grandfather passed away
30. She doesn’t let anything stop
her
31. She’s gracious
32. She’s compassionate
33. She laughs at our jokes (even
when they are not funny…Dow)
34. She’s beyond generous
35. She never asks for anything in
return, just a giver
36. She’s sweet. Very, very sweet
37. She remembers a ton of stuff…
it always amazes us
38. She loves to see pictures of
her family
39. She loves our Mom and Dad
40. She’s smart as a whip
41. She’s proud of her family
42. She’s an incredible role model
43. She is always open to learn
something new
44. She is always interested in
what is going on in our lives
45. She never lets you leave
without a hug!
46. She has many talents
47. She’s a teacher
48. She’s still good at shooting a
basketball
49. She’s a preacher
50. She’s full of joy
51. She’s full of goodness
52. She’s determined
53. She’s patient
54. She rejoices in the truth
55. She protects
56. She trusts
57. She hopes
58. She perseveres
59. She loves learning
60. She’s a great writer
61. She loves poetry
62. She’s determined
63. She has a nice reading voice
64. She does not hold grudges
65. She stands up for the people that need standing up for
66. She is unchanging
67. She is unshakeable
68. She appreciates honest things
69. She has a ton of pictures in your house
70. She is a good conversation participant
71. She is motivated
72. She's always concerned with how we feel
73. We can count on her for anything
74. We love that you never complain, even though sometimes you should
75. We love that you are always proud of us
76. We love your continuous support through out our lives.
77. We love the way you always speak your mind
78. We love your yeast rolls
79. We love that you are the family matriarch.
80. We love your ageless beauty81. We love your complete devotion to your family
82. We love that you are happiest when we are all together
83. We love that you are accepting of everyone, no matter what\
84. We love that you support our choices even though you may not always agree with them
85. We love your optimism
86. We love the example you are for us
87. We love your outlook on life
88. We love your advice
89. You’re the tenacious glue that holds everyone together
90. We love EVERYTHING about you!
Love, Rachael, Dow, and AnnaGrace (agEs 13, 17, 19)
************************
Dear
Grandmother,
Happy 90th birthday! When I am asked, “Who is your role model?” I think of you. I admire how you always look at the optimistic side of bad situations. Not only have you taught us life lessons, you have taught us how important family is. You are such an inspiration to me and my family.
One of the best memories I will always
remember is how you read scripture at Christmas. You read to us about the birth
of Jesus and make sure we know the real meaning of the season. Another memory I
will never forget is all of the delicious food you take time to cook for us
when we have family events. You always make sure everyone feels welcome and
comfortable at your house.
These are just some of the qualities that make
you an inspiration to me. I appreciate everything you have done for us. I’m so
blessed to have you as my great grandmother. I love you!
Natalie (age 13)
*******************
Happy
Birthday Mom,
I hope you enjoy this special day because no one deserves it
more than you. This is a special day for a very special person. I love you and
appreciate you so much.
It is hard for me to put into words how much you have been a
blessing to me. It all began in June 7, 1963 when you and Dad Shaw welcomed me
into your family with open arms and heart. This acceptance was shown in many
ways but especially when you asked me to preach a revival at one of your
churches. That was such a wonderful experience for me.
You have been more than just a mother-in-law to me. You have been a loving and caring Christian influence all these fifty years of knowing you. When my Mother died, you became my MOTHER-in-law and that has been such a comfort and help to me. You are truly special to me.
May God continue to bless you and use you in His service.
With gratitude and love, Jim
************
Dear
Grandmother,
Happy 90th birthday! Wow! I cant believe you’re ninety; you only look sixty! We always have a great time when we are all together.
One of my best memories is coming to
your house to celebrate Christmas. You have given me many Christmas gifts that
have been really useful. One Christmas you gave all of your great grandkids
towels and blankets. I still use that towel you gave me when we go to the
beach! For Christmas 2012 you gave everybody a lantern. A couple of weeks after
you gave us those lanterns our power went out. The power was out for almost a
whole day. We used the lanterns you gave us to see so we could do things around
the house.
Thank you for everything you’ve done and given us. I am so blessed to have you as my great
grandmother! I love you so much!
Love, Ethan (age 11)
***************
Dear Grandmother,
Happy 90th birthday! I’m glad we moved to Rome a few years ago so I get to see you more. We always have such a good time at your house. I always look forward to coming over to spend time with you and other family members. I have many great memories about being at your house. I loved singing karaoke at Christmas. I always look forward to coming to your house the day after Christmas and spending time with you and family members we don’t get to see often. I also loved jumping in the leaves at Thanksgiving. I appreciate you taking time each year to fix a delicious meal and opening your house for so many people.
One of my favorite memories at your house is when you played basketball with us. Natalie, Ethan, Haley, and I were shooting basketball outside and you came outside to shoot, too. You made several shots! I don’t know of many kids whose great-grandmother would play basketball with them! It was a fun time. I love you and appreciate you taking the time to play with us.
Love, Brianne (AGE 15)
**********
No comments:
Post a Comment