My Mum

Today is my Mum's birthday. This has been the case only in recent years. We used to celebrate it on May 7; the day my dad declared it to be the birth date on my Mum's papers. The reason for this was because my Mum's birth certificate was back in Africa, and so my Dad just picked a month and day. When my Mum went back home to visit her family, she found the documentation of her birth and set us right. {On a side note, my Dad was quite proud of himself to only have been one month off :} Back in my parents childhood, quite often, the only celebrated birthday was a child's first. After that, I don't think people kept close records--they would have to stop and think a minute.

For some reason, I didn't keep track of my parents age. If asked how old my parents were, I normally said whatever ages the parents of one of my friend's. I remember asking my Mum one day how old she was and she told me 36. From then on, she was perpetually 36 years of age whenever any of us kids asked her. I think in part it was because turning another year older wasn't a big deal, and also because all of us kids kept her youthful! She did in fact turn 46 today, but she definitely does NOT look it. She kinda looks like she's....well, 36! :)

My Mum is the best. I want to share some things that have proved that to me many times over:

~She is selfless: She is the first to wake up in the morning. She gets up at the crack of dawn and makes breakfast for my Dad as well as all the kids before seeing us off to our respective places.

~She buys only the best for her family and prepares from-scratch meals for all meals.

~She has business savvy and knows how to cut costs while keeping quality.

~She loves to laugh and tell stories.

~She has an overabundance of patience.

~She chose to raise her family in a free land with lots of opportunities to learn about God and receive a good education at the cost of knowing she wouldn't see her family very much {majority of whom are still in Africa}.

~She is content to stay at home and raise her family {7 boys and 4 girls}--and then let them go as they get older.

~She is passionate and fiercely loyal.

~She loves God and is seen reading her Bible in the early mornings or late at night.

~She is the last one to go to sleep--making sure her household is in order.

~She encourages us kids to follow God and do His will.

~She listens much and gives advice accordingly.

And many, many more qualities. My Mum is truly a Proverbs 31 Lady. I wish I was home to tell her "Happy Birthday"; to pamper her and let her relax on this her special day. For now, a "Happy Birthday" from a far will do, but I pray that God blesses her with many more birthdays in the years to come!

I love you Mum!! Happy Birthday!!