A Simple Message of Gratitude

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Today I want to express my appreciation for my mother. I appreciate her taking care of herself and the baby inside her while Daddy was in the service, so that I could be born into the world 72 years ago today. Daddy was discharged on November 29, 1953. Mother went into labor four days later, a month before her due date. Around 10:00 p.m. on the evening of December 2, my mother gave birth to her firstborn at Robertson County Hospital in Springfield, Tennessee.

These are the earliest pictures of the two of us that I have. Isn’t she beautiful?

She said I looked like a china doll. I think she looked like a beautiful model.

At first we lived in Springfield with her parents, Granny and Granddaddy. When I was six weeks old, we moved to nearby Cheatham County to a house in the country beside Daddy’s parents, Mama Sue and Daddy Leland. This next photo was taken in our yard in the country.

I especially like this picture that shows my joy while looking at my mama who was obviously encouraging some of my very first steps.

Mother continued to encourage me for the rest of her life. In 1990 I broke the news to her and Daddy that we were going to homeschool. I said, “I know you are worried.” She replied, “You know what you’re doing.”

Our home is filled with treasures that Mother created.

Detail of the Dresden plate quilt on our bed that she made especially for me 

Her cathedral window quilt in my office

One of her paintings in our kitchen

The first painting she gave me which hangs in Ray’s office

At Christmas time, I joyfully hang the Christmas decorations she made. Here are a few of them.

On this the 72nd anniversary of her gift of giving birth to me, I rise up to bless her memory.

Her children rise up and bless her
Proverbs 31:28a

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