A Caring Heart

My mom, Diana, is one of those people who truly likes to be behind the scenes. She is at her happiest putting other people first.  Since it is her birthday and a special day, I just want to let Mom know how much we appreciate her.

From a young age, Mom has been a thoughtful caregiver. She helped look after her baby sister. As a young mother, she cared for three children sacrificing so much for us.  Professionally, Diana has carved out a successful career as a nurse. Mom spends many hours caring for elderly patients. It is much more than a job for her as she loves and listens to her sometimes forgotten residents.

I know she is probably cringing now and I don’t want to embarrass her much more. I just want to say, Mom, I am so fortunate to have you as my role model. You have a caring heart. Thank you for all that you do for us. I love and miss you. I wish we could be with you today to celebrate. We are there in spirit and can’t wait to say hello via video.  Xoxo

Happy Birthday Albert

As of 9:12 pm tonight our sweet Albert Aaron is one year old. It’s hard to grasp how fast this past year as gone by for us. I am amazed at how much our little guy has grown. I can’t imagine our family without him.

Albert has been walking for two months now and he is fast. He adores big sister Ivy and is determined to keep up with her. When we play music or Daddy makes a milk shake, Albert will start turning in circles. I call it his happy dance! He says Dadda and Mama and uh-oh. He’s a pretty good mimic with sounds. Albert loves to eat and some of his favourite foods are cheese, blue berries, turkey nuggets and toast. He gives the sweetest cuddly hugs and it just melts my heart when he toddles over to me with open arms.

Happy Birthday Albert Aaron! We love you. We are so proud of you.

 

Happy 99th Birthday

Happy Birthday, Mamaw Bentley! Today would have been your 99th birthday. It’s written in my calendar. I was remembering today when I came to visit you when you were still living on your own in Kentucky by myself. You made a whole sheet cake just for me. We laughed and ate a piece with ice cream even though it was late. I have been thinking today what a privilege it was for my sister, brother, and me to be so close to our great grandmother, to have all the time we shared together. I miss you. I wish I had paid closer attention. I wish I had your recipe for chicken and dumplings. I can see you making them in your kitchen. I can remember you chopping up cabbage to make your slaw. I can hear your voice as if we are talking on the phone. I hope you enjoy your first birthday in heaven. I know you are with Papaw and Aunt Addie and many others. I just want to say thanks a million for everything.

Mamaw Allie Bentley in her chair at Mom’s house.

For My Mother, Diana, on her Birthday

For you, Mom, on your birthday.

I know you would rather we forget. But I want to celebrate you and all that you have done.

When I think about you, Mom, I think of all that you have given.

You care and give and care and give for others over and over again.

You always put your family first. Those you love feel it true.

Your patients are much more than just a job, but lives you have touched.

You always seem to put yourself last. Thank you for your sacrificial love.

As I watch Ivy play in her toy box, I realize all that I never really knew about you, Mom.

I never knew about all the tears and smiles and sighs and laughter.

Or all the late nights you watched me sleep or worried about a cold or held me with a

piercing earache; all the times you stopped and prayed for me.

I never really knew about all the meals and baths and scraped knees kissed.

I see you clearly now, Mom, and how much it cost you to care for us;

how we three are blessed to have you.

Only now as I care for my own little one do I really see and feel your love.

Thank you is not enough. I love you more than ever, Diana, my mother, on your birthday.