I am thankful for my mom and the love and care she showed for me all her life, for her generosity, for long phone calls and laughter and the ability to talk about almost everything. I miss her sorely but hope to see her in heaven some day.

I am thankful for my husband’s mother, for her loving and thoughtful raising of her son into the fine man I married, for her acceptance of me into her family, for her cheerfulness industriousness, love of books, and generally happy demeanor.

I am thankful for my mother’s mother, who died when I was about four: I have very little memory of her, but I’m told that when I asked questions about her medical equipment, my mother tried to “hush” me, but my grandmother patiently and matter-of-factly explained it to me.

I am thankful for my father’s mother, who took me on road trips and had me over to spend the night often. I have fond memories of staying up late reading in the two different beds in her bedroom.

I am happy for Mrs. C., who took me under her wing during my college and early adult years and showed me an wonderful example of a warm, kind, loving, Christian wife, mother, and homemaker and who still keeps in touch with me all these years later and sends me subscriptions of Victoria magazine.

I am thankful for “Aunt Sylvia,” my mom’s best friend, who never married or had children of her own but always brought us Christmas presents and was always kind to us.

I am thankful for Aunt Bobbye, my mother’s sister, though she washed my mouth out with soap once when I said something, not realizing it was a bad word. 🙂 I am thankful for her zany sense of humor and for her love and care and continued interest throughout my life.

I am thankful for my dear friend, Valorie, and the many walks and talks and excursions to breakfast at restaurants that let kids eat free when our kids were small, but I especially appreciate her loving attitude and interest in others.

I am thankful for Mrs. M. and the wise advice she gave me once while working on a bulletin board together about not dreading the teen years of my children and not expecting them to be rebellious.

I am thankful for my dear friend Carol and her warmth and genuine interest in others, for working together in various aspects at church and school and long talks and lunches.

I am thankful for godly pastor’s wives I’ve had and their sweet spirit and godly counsel.

I am thankful for so many women who “mothered” me in some way or who were examples to me and made me a better mother.

Happy Mother’s Day to you all!