You Mom

Mom,

            I love you oh so much. I am proud to say I have inherited your spirit, your spunk, and your heart for others. You have been such an incredible mother to me, showing me daily what it means to be a woman of God. Tonight is my graduation and I hope to make you proud. I am tearing up just writing this. Knowing the criers we both are, I do not doubt you will as well. When I stand up on the Sanctuary stage, not only receiving my diploma, but also giving a speech as Salutatorian, please believe that I credit so much of it to you.

            Without your constant belief in me, I doubt I would have done as well as I did. You showed me the perfect line between trying my hardest and accepting my limits. You let me recognize my human side, my shortcomings. However, you have always encouraged me to push through when it has proved difficult but not impossible. I still can look back and recall the night you were up late helping me with a project I procrastinated doing until the night before while we were still living in Clearwater. Just like in that moment, your patience is unwavering.

            You have taught me so many vital lessons about my faith while still allowing me to have it on my own. You have told me about the wisdom you have gleaned from the Word and have showed me how to love God even when it seems unbearably difficult.

            I do not know if I ever told you this, but I have always described you to others using one story. I fail to remember how old I was, but we were still living in Clearwater. We were shopping as a family at the grocery store and Bert was on the opposite end. Suddenly, you turned to me and challenged me to a race. Before I knew it, we were sprinting past all of the aisles, stopping breathless at Bert’s cart.

            I tell this story because nothing can better illustrate what an incredible mother you have been to me. You have shown me the importance of responsibility as any mom should. However, you have also shown me the value in having fun. You have blessed me with so many opportunities to grow in my faith and in my individuality. I love you; I thank you; I am who I am because of you.

                                                                                            Your Little Girl,

                                                                                            Madison Shae