Lynn M. Goodman

My calendar tells me that tomorrow, the moon (ours, that is) will be on full display.  I'm not quite sure why that event makes the calendar.  There is another event tomorrow that, to me and our family, is far more deserving of a place on the calendar.  Tomorrow we celebrate my mom's birthday.  I'll let her, if she so chooses, tell you which one.  All I can tell you without asking permission is that she has been my mom for all my life - thus far, 48 years.  She's been a mom for fifty-three years (oops, I just revealed my oldest sister's age) and she's quite good at it.

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I thank my mom for many things.  For example:

• her regular correction of my grammar as a child and teen.  That has really helped me as a preacher / teacher and author.
  

• her belief in her children.  While I doubted myself plenty of times, my mom never joined me in doubting myself.
  

• her typing.  As one person of the last generation who could graduate high school, college, and post-grad education without the requirement to learn typing skills, I am so glad that she bailed me out so many times.

• her support and love for her husband (my dad).  I hear of many marriages where husbands feel belittled by their wives.  My mom always did (and does) encourage and speak well of (privately and publicly) my father.
  

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• her commitment to Christ and His church.  From teaching kids in VBS to serving as a deacon; from hosting events to serving on personnel, search, and many other church committees; my mom served (and serves) her church.  She reads God's word, prays for friends and family, and is active in worship.  She and my dad even YouTube my sermons!  :-)  So, she hears at least two sermons a week.

• her love for her family.  She loves my wife and kids.  She loves her daughters and sons-in-law.  She also loves all the next generation who call her B.G.
  

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And . . .
her love for me.  Never in my life have I asked the question, "Does my mom love me?"  Folks, that's a gift!

Mom, thank you for all that you did, do, and are.  I love you!

Addendum:
Once [ I hope it was only once :-) ] during a time when I was behaving like a rather stubborn teenager, my mom asked me why I always had to have the last word.  As I disrespectfully walked off and turned the corner to go down the hall, I turned back around the corner and said one word - "Word!" - then walked away.  What a jerky thing to do - I know.  In light of that past event and because I know you will enjoy her words, I've asked her to write next week's blog.  Come back next week and enjoy her words with me.  

#ordinarylives

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