80

Today would have been Mom's 80th birthday.  So far it's not a horrible day for me.  I believe there are two reasons for that.  First, Mom was adamant that she did not want to live to be in her 80's.  When she talked about that, I'd always say, "But Mama, we want you to be here with us."  She'd answer, "What you want doesn't matter."  Mama knew the Lord and knew that she was ready for heaven and  that's where she is today.  She's probably chuckling that she got her way in the end.  She usually did.  The second reason is that on Feb. 11 last year, which was a very hard day for me, my six girls surprised me by getting together for a lunch at a tea room in Gastonia.  Now I have a sweet memory for that date.

One of the things I've found most comforting since Mom died has been using her Bible.  Mama was a very private person who rarely shared personal feelings, but her Bible is filled with verses she's underlined or highlighted, put stars or check marks beside.  I know that the Lord used those verses of Scripture in some way in her life, and I've loved finding them.  God has used them to comfort me just the way He did for her.

I've also been pondering what she'd think about the changes I've made in her house.  I really believe she'd like the laundry room, den, and hall bathroom.  We're getting ready to buy new carpet and she'd talked about that a lot so I know she'd be ok with that.  My orange bathroom, now that's a different story.  I think Mom would say one of two things.  She might say, "You're a nut."  But I think she'd  say, "You've always been weird."  She was probably right but she loved me anyway. 

Happy Birthday, Mama, from your favorite daughter.