Happy Mother's Day

Abraham Lincoln was quoted as saying, "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."  Today is my mother's birthday, she would have been 79.  I remember many years celebrating both Mother's Day and her birthday on the same day.  She was such a wonderful woman and mother and dedicated her life to me, my brothers and our families.  My children remember her warmly and we all have missed her so much these past 19 years.  As I reflect on her this Mother's Day I can't help but mirror the sentiments of Pres. Lincoln.  I owe her so much and am grateful that I see some aspects of her in myself and my children.

There is no greater joy than watching your children grow up and have families of their own.  We have been blessed with four children of our own and my wife, Holly, has been the most amazing mother and companion.  The degree of sacrifice from this caring woman is an example to me of what God intended mothers to be.  She is kind, understanding and I often tease her that she is Holly the Good.  It is said in jest but I can think of nothing that sums her up so concisely.  Two of our children have children of their own and today they will all be home to see their mother.  Hectic?  Oh yeah, but it will be so much fun.  Just sitting back and watching this spectacle called 'family' does my heart good.  Wish my mom could be here to sit on the deck with me this afternoon to enjoy all that she started.