Today....

Today is July 13th, 2010...my Moms' birthday...if she were alive today Mom would be turning 21-again! There are so many different things I miss about her...her laugh, her sense of humor, the way she always pushed her bangs up after she brushed her hair. I sometimes think to myself what would Mom think of everything her family is doing right now? Her family has changed so much in the 5 years she has been gone. We have grown in numbers (she has tons of great grandbabies with another one to be born soon) and we have changed locations (Chelsea was in CA and now she is proudly serving her country in Afghanistan). We have gotten married (or in the case of Krissy and Bubba-set a date to be married) and we have fought, made up, talked behind each others backs, talked in front of each others faces, hated each other and loved each other. Her family was brought together-tighter, if one could imagine-by her passing and we have remained that way.


Whenever we get together we always talk about her and the crazy things she had said and she had done but mostly we talk about how she made us the way we are. Her family loves each other. We need no one but each other and we are always there for one another. Her great grandbabies know her because we let them know her love by the way she taught us to love each other. Because of Mom we have learned to be strong, to work hard, to hold those we love closer and tighter, and to always be proud of being a part of her.


Mom, today is your 21st birthday and like all the days since you have been gone I find myself pausing to hear your laughter. I often find myself looking beside me to see you and I am always a little disappointed and sad that you are not there...but then I look closely and I find you...You are in Kaycee's smile (and the devilish look in her eyes), you are in Carmen's laughter (when she is helping her 'grandma' in the kitchen), in Max's sweetness, in Taylin's curiousity (and love of cars-I mean, you were a drag racer!) and you are in Kenyon's snuggles.

There is not a day that you are not talked about, missed, and loved. I would thank you for all the love and support and things taught to each of us but it would be pointless because you are not done teaching us, supporting us, and loving us. Happy 21st Birthday, Mom!