Ode to Mom

My mom is 86 today. Today we celebrate Julie.

She asked on my dad’s birthday what I remembered about him. So today we will remember some things about mom.

Very disciplined. Reads her Bible every morning with her cup of black coffee. She journals too. Tim thinks when we read it she will have a lot to say about him.

She prays. Anytime I tell her something bad, good or in between, I know she prays about it. She prays for us, her kids, our kids, the great grands, her friends, her pastor, her church, people all over the world.

Lunch is the big meal. She still cooks and eats her big meal in the middle of the day. It’s amazing that such a tiny person can eat so much. But, if she cannot swallow one more M & M, she’ll leave it on the counter. (Seriously – one M & M.)

Loves chocolate. I definitely inherited this. She will buy herself cookies and chocolate chips and hide them in the pantry so they won’t be a distraction to me. I’m not always so disciplined. She will celebrate today with some Pizzelle’s chocolate https://www.pizzellesconfections.com/ and some cake at my brother’s house.

She doesn’t complain. We never know if she hurts or is uncomfortable unless we ask her directly. And even then, she usually side steps the question. I could definitely model this more in my life.

She loves to laugh. She loves it when Tim teases her about hiding her alcohol under the floor in her room. Or when he reminds her to clean up the solo cups before we come home.

She loves Xena, the wonder dog. Now that it’s warmer, mom will make a cup of coffee or grab something sweet after lunch and go outside to the back porch. Xena knows the time and is waiting by the door for her.

I know she misses dad. I asked her once why did she let dad continue to travel overseas with all of his health and mobility issues. She traveled with him and it was very hard on her too. She said that if she did that, it would be like taking dessert away from him. He wanted to check on the missionaries and encourage them. She helped make that possible.

Thankful for you, mom. I appreciate the way you point me to Jesus. Even more so after all these years. Love you.