Happy Birthday...Happy Father’s Day!

Our family has been going through some sentimental highs and lows lately remembering the wonderful life our grandmother lived. We have been writing, “I remember when…Grandma did this…Grandma taught me…etc. She was a beautiful example of Christ to all of us. The sad thing is…we said a lot of this all too late, she didn’t get to hear it or read it!
Well, that got me thinking that maybe I should do this for my mom and dad since this week was mom’s birthday and it’s also Father’s Day on Sunday (here in Paraguay). That way they would be here to read it!
Let me start with MOM. My mom learned a lot from HER mom, I can tell because I just got a letter from Aunt Peg talking about the THREE NICE THINGS punishment, so that was from Grandma, huh?
What I LOVE about my mom is that she is so emotionally strong! She went through a lot when we were kids, but we never caught on to the stress she was going through. Dad was out of work for a LOOOONG time because of an accident. Only now do I fully understand what she went through. She had five kids to feed, bills to pay, and a husband on crutches. I remember she would go for long periods of time in her room…reading the Bible and praying. Mom…you taught me to be strong during the storm!
Mom and dad taught us to work in three gardens and sell the produce. Mom taught us to do little jobs; newspaper routes, babysitting, selling raspberries (rocks, and lemonade). She taught us how to be responsible. She wrote the recipe column for the local newspaper and WE got to be the judges of the recipes! She taught us the art of cooking. She sewed us clothes and gave us classes, making us take it all apart again and again until we got it right. She taught us perseverance
Mom is one of the happiest, hospitable ladies I know. She loves to have everyone over. She loves to party. She is always the happiest when she is sharing. Thanks, mom, for teaching me that valuable lesson of being generous.
Mom always supported my decisions even though she knew that it could take me far from her. Thanks, mom, for letting me go and having faith in me.
DAD, you taught me to be quiet even though I was getting the bad end of the deal. I saw YOU do it so often, but for you it comes so naturally. My dad has a special gift of not hearing the bad things said to him, he just turns around and loves that person just the same. Dad taught me to forgive. (I think Brandon got that trait from you.) Dad taught me to love the Word of God and preach it “in season and out of season”. Dad never misses the opportunity to witness, at work, on the airplane, in the supermarket, even in a different country!
Dad tried over and over again to teach us mechanics, but, sorry, I owe you that one. I never had enough patience to hear you. Dad’s our handyman he can fix almost anything.
I know this is soooo short, I could go on and on, and I will some day. I just wanted to share how Mom and Dad taught me and made my life so beautiful. I’m thankful for the parents God gave me! Happy Birthday...Happy Father’s Day!