March 4-- Sarah

Today I want to tell you about my mom. 

It's her birthday and so its a good day to celebrate her-- but so is every day. Because every single day she is an inspiration to me.

She has faced so much adversity in her life-- and she rises to the challenge every time.  She is my role model for resilience and perseverance.  When you look at her slight frame and pretty smile you might miss the core of steel that is in her, the utter strength she has called upon over and over to get through some pretty dark times.  She comes out the other side still smiling, her passion for life and her sense of humour and her unconditional love for her family intact.  I smile all the time because she has showed me how.  She has taught me-- as she has so many others in her life as a teacher, Recovery leader, church member, friend-- how to be headstrong and determined, generous and gentle, all at the same time.   She never stops giving of herself. 

She also has really great taste in clothes and dogs and decorative pottery, and you can't find a better shopping buddy (though you'll undoubtedly spend more than you planned on, with her help). She's a great writer and a lover of music, art and film, and her passion and enthusiasm are contagious.  I love going to special exhibits at the art museum with her, or seeing an interesting film and chatting about it afterward.  My favorite, though, has always been dreaming our way through open houses in big old mansions.  I am so grateful that she has given these passions to me. I just wish we had more time to share them together these days...

But I can't complain about the reason we don't-- in her spirit of giving she eagerly steps in as our main "babysitter", taking my kids for overnights, or to fun activities, or just hanging out with them and sharing her talents for teaching and parenting.  Lucky kids.  Lucky us.  I am so grateful we live close enough that she can be such an active force in the lives of my children.  And that I get to see her every week, too.  I don't tell her that often enough.

Thank you, mom, for all you've done for me, and for all you continue to give to me every day, just by being yourself in the world.  You are my moral compass, my role model, my friend.  I am so lucky to be your daughter.