Ten Things I Love about You <3
Today our oldest child turns 40.
F.O.R.T.Y.
I honestly cannot figure out how this happened.
In honor of her birthday, I am attempting to list the first ten things that come to my mind that I love about her. I could (and almost did) list forty…but ain’t nobody got time to read all that. So without further ado….
(1) Your sense of humor. And not just in good times. Even in the worst situations, you still can find something to laugh about. I hope you never lose that gift.
(2) Your steadiness when there is a crisis. The calm that takes over when the unexpected knocks us off our feet carries those around you to safe harbor.
(3) The way you can pull teeth and bind flesh wounds and look at broken limbs and things we shan’t discuss and not get squeamish. You just kick into action and make things better and do it all with a smile and comforting words.
(4) The way you love us and your siblings, your husband and your children, your extended family and friends deeply and unconditionally and in our best interest. The way you strive to forgive broken relationships and understand that hurting people hurt others and so you walk in grace towards those who have hurt you.
(5) The way you loved, and still love, our parents. The way you miss them and talk about how they would have gotten a kick out of this or that going on in our lives. The way you still grieve that they aren’t here helps keep their legacy alive and we are grateful.
(6) The way you love babies and mommas here and on the other side of the world and everywhere in between. The way you use your gifts to provide care for the unborn and the born and those bearing children is tender and of great value.
(7) The way you love Jesus. The way you know you are loved by Him. The way you teach your children that they, too, are loved and precious to Him.
(8) The way you pray like you are just sitting there at the feet of God and interceding with all your heart for the one who is being covered in prayer. When you pray out loud, we feel carried to the throne to receive mercy and healing. And when you are praying in your heart, I know God hears and answers.
(9) Your work ethic. The way you do your job in the time given and then bring it home to finish after you have tended homework, baths, dinner, games, practices, laundry and whatever else needs to be done. The way you strive for excellence and put your heart into your work.
(10) That you love to shop as much as I do, yet you don’t let material things hold your heart. You definitely know the difference between the temporal and the eternal. I think it is a special delight from God that you gave birth to a girl who also loves to shop. I love that you don’t have to have, you just like to look, and that you understand and respect that it is the fellowship of women just enjoying the hunt together that matters most…and if an item or two drops in the cart, so be it <3
Happy Birthday to you, sweet girl.
I hope your forties are a decade that you look back on and say, it was a good one for sure.
I love you with all my heart and we will treasure every moment watching you grow and bloom even more this coming year.
Love,
Mom <3