To Shirley, my mother in law,
I realize we haven’t always seen eye to eye. We haven’t always gotten along.
In fact we had a very rough season of not speaking at all. And for that I am sorry. I’m sorry for being too proud. Too self centered. Too unable to see past my own hurt.
But this isn’t about that. You are my mother in law and……today is your sons…my husbands…birthday. And I want to thank you.
Thank you for carrying him for 9 months inside your body. I know he was your last baby…and I know sometimes they are the hardest on us physically especially when you have a toddler climbing at your feet.
Thank you for diaper changes and snuggles. For bottles and baby food. For watchful eyes and band aides. Thank you for loving him as only a mother can. Your baby. Your boy.
Thank you for helping him with his homework and for piano lessons.
Thank you for teaching him to serve his grandparents and through that learn to serve others.
Thank you for summers at Maranatha where you let him grow…and be…and work. Where he made lifelong friends and memories.
Thank you for teaching him about values and integrity. Because we all know, it wasn’t really Matt’s quarter! {{smile}}
But most of all…thank you for teaching him about Jesus.
Not just who He is, but how to love and serve Him with his whole life.
It is these values. This foundation. That has not just directed our marriage, but saved it. Thank you for the man of my dreams. The love of my life.
I know how much sons mean to their mothers…I understand that bond. I can only imagine how hard it is to let go.
Thank you for letting go…for me.
When I look at my own son, I wonder how any woman could EVER love him as much as I do. After all I made him! You must have felt the same way. And some day I will be HIS wife’s mother in law and I hope to do it well.
In the time when our marriage was suffering you must have hurt, not just for us, but for him. I’m sorry.
But know…even though I will never love him as you do…he is my soul mate. My gift from above. And I love him. And mom, I promise to love him faithfully for all of my days.
So today I just want to say, happy BIRTH day. Thank you for everything. I love you.
~ lisa
