Mother,

As your 60th birthday approaches, I have been pondering how you have impacted my life.  Where to begin, maybe the obvious. You gave me life. You raised me along with my amazing dad.  God blessed me with an amazing set of parents. You taught me how I am to love my spouse. I didn’t realize this, until I was married with my own children.  What a priceless gift to pass onto me. One that will hopefully be passed onto your grandchildren. Your love for dad is one of the best gifts ever given. That is a gift I cherish and for many years took for granted.  As I now know marriage isn’t always easy, but oh, the hard times make the sweet times so much sweeter! Thank you for putting dad first over me.

Your love and desire for the Lord is incredible.  You have survived two cancer diagnoses. You are strong, because your faith in the Lord is strong.  You have taught me how to rely on our Heavenly Father when the weight of the world is too heavy to carry.  Reminding me He will carry the weight. What an amazing legacy you are passing on to me. You inspire others around you to seek our Lord.  I hear others say, your strength is incredible, your fight is hard, and your faith is strong. I can only hope that I can rely on the Lord like you have shown through these years.  Thank you for showing me perseverance faith.

Your competitive spirit.  It not only comes out in your drive to beat cancer, but also the desire to beat dad at anything, especially on the golf course.  I love watching you and dad compete. It brings much joy. It has taught me how to play hard and enjoy competition. Even if that means I lose.

Mom, know that your love for your me doesn’t go unnoticed.  Keep praying for me, because there is nothing more than I cherish than your prayers and encouragement.  Love you Mom! Praising God for you, the Mom He gave me to raise me, love me, and encourage me!

Love your daughter,

Christine Marie