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Wednesday, June 04, 2008

What Do You Say About a Woman ----


What do you say about a woman who has had just about as many things thrown at her in her life as anyone could imagine? About a woman who devoted her entire being to raising her family as well as she knew how. About her commitment to getting up early, staying up late, and not napping in between. About a woman who planted the garden, weeded it, and rescued its crops to be used on the table. About a woman who grew up during the Great Depression and took baths in a galvanized tub in the kitchen. About a woman who had only one dress while growing up? About a woman who took her lunch down the street to eat away from other children because she was embarrassed about what she had to eat. About a woman who was beaten? About a woman who was made to watch her then-current husband rape a young girl in front of her? About a woman who was hatefully not permitted to go get emergency care when her appendix burst. About a woman who layed away nights wondering about her children, sister, and others who suffered from alcoholism, depression, and drug use. About a woman who spent years caring for her own mother. About a woman who cared for her husband during his illness with Lou Gehrig's Disease. About a woman who stood tall, held her head high, and told one of her best friends that their long-term friendship was over because the (now former) friend didn't believe in the woman's son's gay lifestyle. About a woman who has the most positive attitude of anyone I've personally ever known. About a woman who does not hate....does not speak ill of others....does not have bad days or bad attitudes. Well, I'll tell you what I'll say about her. I'd say that I want to be like her. I want her attitude, her spirit, and her energy. I want her devotion to good causes, her strength when things are tough, and her ability to carry on in the worst of times. All with a smile on her face. And I must admit that I've even considered the horrible day in the future when I'll lose my mom -- it's a day that I'm not sure I can stand to face. We've gone through it all together. She's had to reconcile her faith in the face of things I'm sure she never anticipated facing. And she's done it with grace and courage. And today, I wish my mom the happiest 78th birthday ever. I love her and have never been more proud of anyone than I have of her. I hope that I'm able to achieve being even half the person she is.

33 comments:

Peter said...

You salute that woman with a post like this, a fine tribute.

Congratulations to her, and I hope you can enjoy her being herself for many more years to come.

dpaste said...

Happy Birthday, Lewis' Mom!

Lemuel said...

Happy birthday to your mother!!

What a fitting and *moving* tribute to her, Lewis!

Blair said...

Knowing your mother and knowing you so well, you have paid a wonderful tribute to her. She has truly become a life teacher for me and so many others she knows.

I also pay tribute to you Lewis for carrying on your life in the wonderful ways both your mother and your father dreamed you would do.

As you salute her today with this wonderful tribute, she has you and your wonderful family as the best birthday present of all.

You all make her so proud and it shows.

Laurie said...

I say HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ONE OF THE
GREATEST MOMS AROUND!

Give her a BIG SQUEEZE for me!
She is the definition of MOM.


HUGS!!!!

K-A said...

I wish your mum a very happy birthday! That was a very sweet post.

travelling, but not in love said...

Wow! Lovely words, lovely post. And a lovely Mom too!

Happy Birthday to her.

And congratulations to her for having such a fine son too ;-)

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a beautiful woman! Both in that picture you shared... and in the picture you painted of her with your loving words! As a mother of a son that I adore... I am imagining that she thinks just as much of you as you have expressed about her! Happy birthday to your Mom!

Michael Guy said...

HAPPY Birthday to LEWIS' mom!

A beautiful tribute, Lewis!

Anonymous said...

¡¡CumpleaƱos feliz!! :)

Gregorio

Anonymous said...

What a great tribute Lewis. Your Mom is lucky to have you! Happy birthday to Lewis' Mom!

Jim said...

I love mom birthdays. Happy Birthday Lewis's mom!!!

dit said...

What a nice salute to an amazing woman. You two are most fortunate to have each other. Have a spectacular birthday!

Anonymous said...

what a wonderful post!

happy birthday, lewis' mom!

Anonymous said...

What a poignant post and wonderful "birthday" tribute to Mom. If I could be half as good as her, I would be happy.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful tribute to your Mom. I wish her a very happy birthday. I know she is proud of your and all her family.

Anonymous said...

Congrats to Mom! Amazing woman!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful tribute.

You truly are a lucky man.

I can see where you get many of your fine charater traits.

Thanks for shring that with us.

WAT said...

Tremendous tribute to yer mother Lewis. I'm a bit teary-eyed you fool.

For reals.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday to your mother! You have written a beautiful tribute to her.

Matt said...

Happy Birthday to Mom!

Very sweet post. She's as lucky as you are.

Birdie said...

What wonderful words any mother would give anything to hear. I hope your example has a lot of people thinking about it. Happy Birthday to a great mom!

r. said...

Awh, an uber sweet tribute to mum!! Happy Birthday Lewis' mum!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, simply beautiful.

Keith said...

What a lovely tribute to your mother. I wish her a happy birthday, too.

My own mom turned 87 in March. She too grew up during the Depression, and learned the value of hard work, saving, recycling, staying awake, and paying attention. Although some of the details of my mom's life may have been slightly less dramatic than your mother's, the tribute might almost have been written about her.

RAD said...

Your what my mom calls me--a mothers darling! Your a gem Lewis!!!!

Ur-spo said...

she is what we call a Warrior Woman.
God bless'em; they keep the world going and the rest of us from destruction.
may she have many happy returns!

Iron Fist said...

I'd say that woman sounds fantastic! Wow! Happy birthday, Lewis' Mom!!!!

Rick said...

Happy Birthday to mother of smiling Lewis.
Hey Lewis pack her up and send her to the Ozark Mountains. She sounds like my dad. They'd make a great pair. But their positive attitude is downright spooky.

Victor said...

She obviously is a fine woman who raised a fine son capable of a superb tribute.

Java said...

How wonderful! She sounds like a fantastic mom.

Tony (LT) said...

If we could only live and carry ourselves in half the manner your mother has, we would all be so much better for it.

That is one great lady and more than deserving of tribute.

Mark in DE said...

She sounds like a real hero and inspirational figure! Does she have a blog???

Good for you for recognizing and appreciating the greatness around you.

Mark :-)