The Unspoken Tribute

There are many types of women in the world. The workaholic, the home-maker, the busy-bee, the social butterfly...the list goes on and on. However, my mother has a category all her own - she's the stand alone. Stand alone - sounds like a weird title so let me explain. She stands out above all other mothers I have ever met - she's the most incredible woman I have ever known. I don't take it lightly that God ordained her to be my mother.

Since I was ten years old, my mother raised me as a single mother. I wish I realized at the time what she endured as a single mother – the sacrifices she made because of me – and what I gained by having such a selfless mom. Looking back I see it all so clearly, but I also see the missed opportunities I had then to be a blessing in return to her.

She received Christ when I was in seventh grade and from that morning on we were in church every time the doors were open. We were at every service and I attended every youth function. Over the course of a year and a half, she showed me what it meant to be a Christian and what joy there was in the Christian life. I wanted a part of that, but on my own I was so unsure of how to begin taking the road to redemption. She sent me to a Christian school and it was there that the Lord got a hold of my heart and taught me how to begin my own personal walk with Him.

I wish I could say that after that January morning in 1996 that everything went perfectly. However, I still acted on my selfish antics and rebelled every once in a while. I know I broke her heart hundreds of times, forced her into hours of prayer, and even created more than half the grey hairs on her head. But through it all she showed the love of Christ, the true love of a parent, and the support of a best friend that I didn’t acknowledge.

Now that I am grown and have children of my own, I can look back through the eyes of a new parent and see the love that she’s had for me all along. From the moment we were joined together, she’s loved me unconditionally – even when I was undeserving and ungrateful. I finally realize that no matter how much I pushed away she never budged.

Mom – I am so thankful for you. I’m so grateful that you have stuck by me all these years, watched over me, guided me, and lead me down the right path. You’ll never know how much I appreciate everything you have done for me. All I can do is stand in awe at what the Lord has done with our relationship, what He’s accomplished in our lives, and the blessings He’s bestowed on us as a family. God has been so very good to us – and I tend to still take it for granted that you are the mother He gave me. Thank you for everything you have done for me – the sacrifices you made, the privileges you have given me, and the path you paved for me to follow. You are the most fabulous person I know and I’m lucky to have you as my very own. You truly are the stand alone mom.