My mother is having a birthday this week.  It’s not just any birthday but her 94^th.  I definitely realize how lucky I am to still have her in my life.

The role of a mother begins long before you give birth…it is formed in your heart first when you know you want to be a part of the ongoing process of life.  Then, at that momentous second you give birth, few are prepared for how huge the job becomes!  The little things of nurturing that child, teaching that child, loving that child, then letting that child go when the time comes for freedom.

That, to me, is the test of any mother’s love…can you let them go?

My mother did all those things for me:  loved me, cared for me, taught me, and then…she let me go.

I am well into retirement age now, but my mother still seems young to me.  She has two beautiful and smart daughters, 3 fantastic grandchildren, and 4 loving great-grandchildren.

Some of her greatest exhibits of strength have come in these later years.  She was married over thirty years ago to her friend and lover.  Nearly two years ago she lost him tragically.  The way she has handled that great loss is exemplary not just to me as her daughter…but to the grandchildren and adult great-grandchildren.  We all pulled together to help her, and it seems, in the long run she helped us through the tragedy.

About twenty years ago, she began her technology training when her husband said, “let’s get you a computer.”  She didn’t know if she could learn that but today she is a prolific e-mailer, a web surfer and finds more things on the internet than anyone else can!

What can I say to my mother I haven’t said in my 60+ years?  Perhaps I’ll give her the greatest compliment possible.  I’ve learned to be a mother by watching her.  She is my greatest strength and role model.

Mother, God is giving our family a present this year—to share another birthday with you!   Happy Birthday!

The future is the past through another gate.

Arnold H. Glasgow