Happy Birthday Mom!

Mom, how can I honor you this day? I wish that I was there to wrap you in my arms and whisper my words of love. How I wish that I could be there to honor you with a task of respect (i.e no housework, cooked dinner (better yet! take you to dinner!), or just sit with you as we speak our thoughts and confess, unspoken, our joy in just being together.

Today as I imagine the kind of mom that I want to be-I see evidence of you. I want to travel the back roads of the mountains with my kids and discover little gems of mountain lakes, or find the perfect swimming hole along side some road that follows a river. I want to raise chickens and give my kids the chance to make pets with them. I want to camp with them in a quiet spot and teach them how to protect themselves, so that they can freely explore the river, trail, and lake. I want them to recognize the great spots to catch trout, and to value the beauty of nature.

As I have been journeying through my education, whenever I feel overwhelmed I think of you and begin to feel a rush of renewed strength. You are my inspiration.

I see you interact with my kids and I feel such a deep appreciation. You are engaging, creative, and full of desire to give them gifts made by your own hand that expresses your deep love for them. You reverberate with energy and it is contagious as you explore ideas and nature. Constantly you seek ways to show them something new and interesting. Always with camera not too far away to capture the moment. (That must be a Threadgill/Riutzel thing)

Your imagination extends beyond the limits of your body, and it shows how determined you are in spirit. You make us understand that nothing is beyond our ability, if we just have the will and desire to accomplish it.

You are an amazing woman, and I hope to keep at least a little bit of what makes you strong and unique.

Happy Birthday Mom, I love you.