To My Mother, on her 48th Birthday

Dear Mom,
I have had a lovely day.
I made you an ugly purple rectangle cake, but then put hearts on it, because Lilly said she needed them. :) I figured I could indulge both your sensibilities. I promise they had purple frosting on them.
I opened your journal tonight. The one I have been reading most recently. I opened to the end of an entry tonight, January 7, 1996, you wrote, " I know our spiritual life is more important than anything. I choose to do whatever God needs done so that I can return to live with Him again. I wish I could force my children to be righteous and return with me. But I know they must choose for themselves. They will do best if I teach them to choose well by my example."

My heart is full of gratitude to you for that example. For teaching me how to choose joy. For teaching me to expect miracles. For showing me what was most important, by the way that you lived.

How did I get so lucky?
Happy Birthday.
I love you.