Today is my mom’s 80th birthday. I don’t even know how this is possible. She still feels 50 to me. Or even 40. I am still on my social media fast, but didn’t want to miss an opportunity to honor her on her special day. Besides, I think she is worthy of her own blog post!

All my life she has quoted Proverbs 31:28 to me “her children rise up and call her blessed”. This was her goal in life. It signifies that a mother’s actions, character and devotion to God earn her deep respect and praise from her family, making her truly blessed. My mom has definitely earned our respect and our praise.

All my life all I really ever wanted to be was a mom. I wanted to be a good mom like my mom was. I am not sure if I did as good a job as my own mom did, but I sure tried. My mom devoted her whole adult life to her children. And she still does. One thing that has surprised me with all of my children being in their twenties is that you never stop parenting. I think I thought once they graduated college I would be done. Oh how silly of me! Parenting adult children is even harder that parenting middle school girls. You worry more and have zero control. I am so grateful my mom is here to walk with us through difficult seasons, like divorce, and also share in happy times, like remarriage and promotion ceremonies. I know many of my friends are not as lucky. They have lost one or both parents. I don’t want to take a single day for granted.

Yesterday I was on the phone with Hannah. She is contemplating some things in her own life and she said, “would you ask Juju to pray for me? Because I know when you ask Juju to prays she like really prays.” What a compliment. And how blessed are my kids to have a praying grandmother? My parents start every day in prayer together, praying over their children and grandchildren. My mom has a group text going with all of her grands. It is precious. She has even added my stepsons to the group chat. I told her some news about Asher awhile back and she said “oh I know. He told us in our group chat.” All in, my mom has 11 grandkids? Is that right? And 4 great-grandchildren. That is a lot, but she works at having relationships with all of them.

I once strove to be as good of a mom as she was, and now I hope I can be as good of a grandma as she has been. Of course, I’m gonna need some grandkids for that to happen…ahem! Ha! All in due time I suppose!!

Please wish my sweet Mama a happy 80th birthday! I know every day is a gift and every year is such a blessing.