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How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. - Annie Dillard

Belated Birthday, Timely Thanks


My mom's birthday was yesterday, March 18th. I won't tell you how old she is, but you would never guess because she still looks amazing. I have so much respect for my mom. She's one of those moms who becomes your best friend over time. One that knows you well and loves getting to know you again and again year after year. I had moments (very brief I'm sure!) during adolescence when I was...how shall I say...hard to handle. I can only imagine the prayers and tears that were shed on my behalf. Prayers and tears that I fully believe helped me to become who I am today. My mom has never judged me and yet has shown tough love when needed. She's smart and quirky and has a heart of gold. Every day I become more like her and although at one point in time that might have made me cringe, I now embrace the evolution realizing how blessed I am to follow in such worthy foot steps.

I have been reading Henri Nouwen's "Reaching Out" and in it he talks about how parenting is a form of hospitality. In it he writes:

"What parents can offer is a home, a place that is receptive but also has the safe boundaries within which their children can develop and discover what is helpful and what is harmful. There their children can ask questions without fear and can experiment with life without taking the risk of rejection. There they can be encouraged to listen to their own inner selves and to develop the freedom that gives them the courage to leave the home and travel on. The hospitable home indeed is the place where father, mother and children can reveal their talents to each other, become present to each other as members of the same human family and support each other in their common struggles to live and make live."

I read this paragraph and was struck by how much I understood exactly what he was talking about. I grew up in a home like this one. And I know how blessed I am because most people today have grown up in a home nothing like the one described above. My mom played a major part in making our home one in which we could be ourselves without fear of judgement or ridicule. My mom put in the time with us to make sure that we knew we were loved. My mom worked to help pay the bills and yet I never felt like her career came before her family. My mom created a home that was and still is a home to all. I've never seen my mom turn someone away. She's a lover and a fighter and for that, with tears in my eyes, I am eternally grateful. This is the mom I strive to be. Thank you Mom for years and years of love and laughter, I look forward to many, many more. Happy belated birthday!!
Read More 3 comments | Posted by Kelli Bagby edit post

3 comments

  1. Anonymous on 2:20 AM

    remember that line - "God could not be everywhere, so he made Mothers". well, i think this is the best that can sum up what our moms mean to us. forever a rock of support and a pillar of strength, i wonder what we could have done to deserve them in our lives! A very Happy Birthday to your mom from too.

     
  2. Anonymous on 4:49 AM

    Hey! A very Happy Birthday to ur mom and quite a thought provoking post dear...nice one! have a look at my blog too for some fun stuffs on birthday :)

     
  3. Anonymous on 5:23 AM

    Your mom is pretty amazing! I miss you tons friend.
    C

     


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kelli-girl

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Kelli Bagby
Portland, Oregon, United States
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they said it better than I

Motherhood is the greatest privilege of life. May Roper Coker

Books I Want to Read in 2010

  • Surprised by Hope - NT Wright
  • Prayer - Richard Foster
  • Hunting & Gathering - Anna Gavalda

The Others

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  • ontheheights | blog
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  • Smith Family
    13 years ago
  • Tanya
    16 years ago

The Evergreeners

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  • Eight is Enough
    13 years ago
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  • is this really communication
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    7 years ago
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