We are celebrating my mother’s 89th birthday tomorrow and I have so much to be thankful for. Proverbs 22:6 directs parents to “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” And my mother did that and more.

Ever since I can remember, my mother has always been in my corner—encouraging me, believing in me, and most of all loving me.

I had a speech impediment when I was young, and a horrible lisp, which made it difficult for people to understand what I was saying. Thankfully, I started working with a speech therapist when I began first grade. Every day after school my mother would patiently go through all the “speech” drills I was given for the week. Every single day my mother encouraged me to be better and that never stopped.

During my “dark years” as a single parent, I would take long walks with my Mom when my children were with their father. I treasure the memory of those walks, when I would pour out my hopes and dreams, my failures and disappointments. My mother would listen patiently, offering advice but never judging my mistakes.

I’ve tried to emulate my mother by being a loving, patient mother to my own children. But there will never be anyone quite like her.

There are so many children in the world who aren’t loved or cared for. This is heartbreaking, because I’ve been blessed with a loving and caring mother. I can’t imagine my life without this strong, intelligent, loving woman who God chose to be my mother.