Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Congratulating Mom

Today is another milestone for the Shaffer Family. It is the anniversary of the birth of our reigning matriarch (aka "Grammy"). For women, being reminded that you're another year older can sometimes make us feel less than celebratory. So instead of dwelling on years accumulated, I thought I'd focus on a small sampling of the many accomplishments Mom has achieved during her relatively brief time here on earth.

So, here it goes:

Congratulations, Mom!

During your years as a teacher, you touched the lives of thousands of children, and inspired many to become musicians, teachers, and the best citizens they could be.

You instilled in your children and grandchildren a love for music which has carried all of us through both good times and bad.

You were part of a parenting team which provided a solid family unit through years when blended families and children of divorce were in vogue.

You have a lovely home filled with decades of memories, which continue to be built on with visits from grandchildren.

You successfully raised three children who have become (for the most part!) productive members of their community, who were able to stand up to peer pressure as young adults, and who were thus prepared to provide good homes for your grandchildren.

You have an uncanny knack for knowing exactly what to do for a person who is hospitalized - how to make the experience more bearable, whatever the circumstance.

You retired in time to take care of your mother and were there for her when she needed you most.

You were there for your sister the same way, by her side as she battled cancer, and providing a comfortable place for her, surrounded by family as she moved on.

As tempting as it can be to mourn the passing of another year, better we should celebrate the blessing of life, with gratitude for the year gone by, and with hopeful anticipation of future blessings.

So, Happy Birthday, Mom! We love you!

No comments: