Servant to all. Mom to Me.
For 70 years the world has been a better place because of her presence.
For 33 years, I have had the joy of her presence, day in and day out.
She is not only my mom, she is my best friend, confidant, and adventure partner!
In October of 2016 when we received the unwanted news of bi-pass surgery, I knew that days that we had taken for-granted before would now be even more special, taking in every minute possible. And I must say, since that day, we’ve lived every minute to the fullest, sometimes even living them until they overflow. And I wouldn’t trade one second for the world.
Today is not lost on me, I know that in 2016 the Lord could have taken my mom instead of giving me more time with her. I know that His plan could have looked much different, but oh how thankful I am that His plan included more days with me, and so many of you. Making memories. Sharing meals, laughs, and even some tears. Thank you, Father, for her 70 years. I know that you aren’t supposed to tell a lady’s age, but I can assure you that she (we) are SO thankful for these 70 years!
Over the last month, many of you have sent me some of the most gracious and incredibly true words about my mom. As the messages, phone calls, and texts came rolling in, I’d find myself tearing up at just how each person had something unique to say, yet each statement felt so similar, describing her perfectly. I would fight tears so that she wouldn’t ask what was wrong. And I’d have to bite my tongue not to mention having spoken to many of you. Keeping this little project a secret was a challenge because I wanted to tell her everything, right then. But, saving it for our girls weekend was exactly the right decision.
Please enjoy this progression of unwrapping her frame. Once she realized what it was, she couldn’t read it through the tears, so for the next 15 minutes or so, I read each statement out loud. It was the most special few minutes. Some of them she would say “that’s from ____” before I could even get to the name at the end of the statement. Ha! Some memories and bonds over random moments will stand the test of time! So incredibly special.
So, before I post the image of the print, I want to say thank you to each person who contributed; each of you being a part of helping celebrate one of God’s greatest gifts was the greatest gift to her. She has said multiple times how much those words mean to her (and to me, too). From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping me show her how much she is loved!
PS - consider yourself warned, it’s long and the words are small… sorry! ;-)
It’s safe to say that my selfless, servant hearted Mom, is also known as Momma Mitchell and the Tickle Monster by many. Could not love that more!
To know her is to love her.
To know her is to know her love for her Savior.
To know her is to have watched her server in the most selfless of ways.
To know her is to have been made better because of God’s gift of her to you.
And to know her is to thank God for placing her in your life, in whatever way that may be.
Mom, you are a true joy. I could never truly express how much I love you. I could write for days, with every word possible, and it would never adequately capture how grateful I am that the Lord gave me to you, and you to me. I could search the world over and would never find a more perfect person to be my mom. To laugh at my goofy side, to humor my dumb ideas, to love my puppy almost more than you love me, and to exercise the patience of Job to calm me down when I’m overwhelmed and want to throw in the towel.
You are my constant. My refuge. And the one who has taught how to lay my foundation in Christ. Your faith reminds me daily of where I am to put my trust, and that not one ounce of what I have is because of me, but because of Him. The way you live this out reaches deeper than you will ever know.
To know you is to love you, Mom.
Happy 70th Birthday to my absolute favorite human, you are loved to infinity and beyond!
~ Sunshine
