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Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Memories That Make me Glad You Were Born

Happy Birthday Mom!

Since I can't be there in person to give you a gift and to say happy birthday, I am writing this birthday post (in the hip modern style of the techno generation) to let you know that I am thinking of you and am celebrating your birthday even in Tennessee.

I also wanted to share a few memories that we have made together that are special to me, hoping to help you smile on your birthday. One thing that I often remember and always appreciated (both now and when I was young) is how you always helped out at school. I was so proud to have a mom who was so talented that she could come to school and teach our whole class fun and interesting things about art. I also really enjoyed the activities we did, and still think my greatest work of art was achieved during a charcoal 'painting' activity you had us do in Mrs. Lewis' class. I managed to achieve, as per your expert direction, a very well rendered action pose of an Indy car smoking its wheels as it tried to speed down the track. It hung on the wall of the class all year like the Mona Lisa in the Louvre. Thanks for helping that little artist in me and my classmates come out.

Another thing that I have fond memories of is coming home to a mom who was there, and ready to listen and to teach and to love after a day of school or work or whatever else I had going on. Whether I came home tired, frustrated, excited, sad, or all of the above, you were there to share my joys and to help me through my disappointments. What a tremendous blessing that was and continues to be.

Finally, I remember the time that you helped steer us all towards loving each other as a family and not just tolerating each other as people who lived in the same house together. You had us all come together and told us you weren't going to have a "dysfunctional family anymore." It makes me smile to think back on how dramatic it was at the time, but it was just what we needed to get the point. From that time on we started addressing each other as "[so and so] who I love and adore and appreciate with all my heart" whenever we had anything to ask or to say. It was a funny way to make a habit out of speaking kindly and considerately to one another and it changed our attitudes in such a way as to help us think and feel more kindly and considerately towards one another. Your tender pleadings that we love each other and tireless efforts to help us remember to be kind never failed to influence us. This led our family to have a closeness and friendship that has lasted to this day.

I hope your day goes well as you celebrate a half-century of life (don't worry, a century isn't that long; after all, Methuselah had more than 9 of them under his belt) and that you continue to have many more happy memories with friends and family for the other half.

Love, Jeff

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