Happy Birthday Mamie!!! We love you. I’m so sorry we couldn’t be there to celebrate with you. It’s hard living far away. I could go on and on about what a wonderful mother you are (does everyone have a day or two??).
You have taught me how to love my children, support my husband, walk with Jesus, and be a good friend. You shared with me the love of reading and encouraged me to learn all that I could. You have loved me through the ups and downs of life. You give me wise counsel and weave strong bonds in our family even though I live miles away. You continue to teach me how to encourage and affirm people by your example. How often did you tell me I was a wonderful daughter and you were blessed to be my mother? What an amazing gift!
When someone asks me how I am able to be so patient with my children, I will always tell them that I had the most loving and kind mother who laid down her life for the Lord and her family. You challenge me regularly to be more passionate and faithful in my relationship with Jesus. When I think of how tirelessly you serve others, I am convicted to lay aside my selfishness and follow your example. You made raising a family and managing a home look easy, now I realize how hard you worked, without ever seeming to complain or fuss.
On your birthday, I send you my sweetest love and affections!
From the children:
Rachel (age 11) – Mamie is so fun. She’s awesome. I love the way she plays with us and watches and listens. I love going to the Inn and swimming with Mamie and Grandad. They stay in the hot tub with their books. Going to Texas was such a blast! It wouldn’t have been fun without Mamie and Grandad there.
Rachel lounges by the pool in Texas.
David (age 5 1/2) – Happy Birthday, Mamie! I love you! I hope you have a good birthday. I hope you come over in February. I love you really much. I like it how you play with me. I hope you have a good time with Grandad. Thank you for giving me presents. I miss you so much. I just want to go to the hotel and have a fun time. I’m becoming a really good swimmer. Thank you, Mamie, for letting me spend the night at your house a couple of times. I really like your house.
Daniel (age 9 1/2) – Happy Birthday! Did you get a cake? What kind? How many candles will you put on it? What kind of cake do you like? We ate some of Chandler’s birthday cake at lunch. I liked it. We went to PE today and had fun swimming. I remember when you taught me how to swim.
Sarah (age 4 1/2) – Happy Birthday! I liked it at Texas. I love you. I want to give you a hug. I had fun in the snow.
Joshua (age 13) – What I like best about Mamie is probably her selfless generosity. Nearly every time we visit her, she presents us with a bag filled with small gifts and candy. She also routinely invites us to spend the night with herself and Grandad when they stay at the hotel. This makes us feel very loved. Almost yearly she and Grandad either visit us, or invite us to visit them. I enjoyed every visit with Mamie, but I think my favorite one was the time we went to Maranatha. I love Mamie and I hope to see her soon.
Joshua with Thom, Chase, Phil and Daniel at Marantha Camp in 2005.
Proverbs 31 describes my mother:
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Happy Birthday!
Kathy
I cannot agree more … what a blessing you have been to me as a mother-in-law. Thank you for being such a godly example to your daughter — it sure makes my life great!
I love that Cindy/Mamie, too. And she has given to me much of what she’s given to you, Katherine. Love- encouragement, passion for knowing Jesus better, and forgiveness. I know she tires of people and of being with them SO much of her time. But when she’s with people, she reflects back to each one the ways God is active in their lives. AND ONE IS DRAWN closer to awe in our Lord. It amazes me how she zeroes in on the essentials and can express them.
I love you, my Twinny twin. I love you, her daughter dear.
Aunt Kate