Happy Birthday, Momma!

You are precious to Me and honored, and I love you.
Isaiah 43:4 TLB

Have I told you lately, how much you mean to me?

You were my first best friend.

My first memories I have are of me and you sitting in the swing on the front porch of our house in Walkertown listening to the rain. I think that is where my love of thunderstorms came from!

And driving in the car singing, even though I would cover your mouth because I didn't like the way you sung!

I remember you teaching me to ride my very first bike at Mama Jo's house when I was 5.

In my teens I remember going to the mall and you buying me my first outfit from The Limited. I felt so special and loved by you. After shopping, we would always eat at Annabelle's restaurant. I felt so grown up!

You put up with a lot of angst from me over the years and no matter how much we argued, I always knew you loved me.

When Clyde died in 2002, I thought I had lost you as well. He was your baby brother and the guilt you carried from his death changed you. You were so sad but you showed it in other ways.
It wasn't until Papa Bud died that you finally allowed all that grief to show. It was good that you cried it out for so long. Your body and your soul needed that cleansing. And we finally got our 'old' mom back. I had missed you so very much.

You are a even better grandmother and my children love you so very much. Living so far from you is the hardest thing we have ever had to do. We miss you so much. It has forced me to realize how much I took you for granted. I promise I will never do that again.

I wish I could be with you on your birthday, you know I would be there if I could. But know that you are loved--- as much as love can ever be felt--- and that I thank God for such an incredible, loving Mother whom I am so blessed to call my best friend.

I love you forever!

Love,
Trinity

For My Mommies (Mama Jo & Mom)

Me & my beautiful mom (1975)

My mom, me, Dad and my brother Chris (1977)

My beautiful Moma Jo 2 weeks ago. Papa Bud would be so proud!

Me & Moma Jo (1976)

I am extra blessed for when I was growing up, I had two mommies.

My mom, Sandy and my grandmother, Mama Jo.

Thru the terrible twos and some rough teenage years, these two mommies never left my side.

Two strong, beautiful women God gave me to help compass the map of my life. With these two mommies, how could I ever fail?

It's so sad that it took moving so far away to truly appreciate the love I have for them.

If you live close to your mom or grandmother, don't take it for granted as I did.

Dear Mom & Moma Jo,
I love you. Happy Mother's Day!
How I wish I was with you today to celebrate the love I have for you both.
I miss you and let's pray that soon we will be a reunited family again!
I love you,
Trinity

My Mom's Collection

My Mom has never been the "collector" type.

That is until she broke her knee this summer.

Trapped to her computer and perusing Ebay, she discovered a love for anthropomorphic salt and pepper shakers.

She now owns just about all of them you can find. I love watching her face as she shows off her little collection of sweet shakers.

Rear View Mirror

Our trip home to North Carolina was short and sweet.

Wayyy to short. Awfully sweet.

Karsen met her cousins and great Aunts, and she spent lots of time with Nanny while me & Raini shopped on Saturday. 48 hours later it was over and we were all back in Richmond.

Every time we leave its hard. We have all learned to push the tears way down deep until we are safely miles away. Then the tears fall. Quietly.

I watch my mom in the rear view mirror until I can see her no more. That's when my tears start. An ache in my throat as I leave because I want her to think I am being strong. The truth is I want to run to her and not let go. I want her to say "Don't leave, just stay here"!

I never, ever, ever thought I would live this far away from my family. We are such a close knit bunch and I make no apologies for that. Seeing my mom and Raini once or twice a month is just unfair.

Karsen not having a close relative living nearby to spoil her is heartbreaking. My boys have such a close relationship with my mom. Just like I had with Papa Bud and Moma Jo. Will Karsen ever have that too?

I also took Karsen to visit with Papa Bud. The flowers in the cemetery were all fall hue colored. The leaves were changing and the wind had a slight chill in it. Another season without him. The second fall with him there in that cemetery. It was hard, but not as hard as past visits. I am slowly healing. In some ways that makes me happy, but in other ways it makes me sad. I do not want to get used to him being there so much to the point that I don't cry when I visit. Does that make sense?

I am trying hard to adjust to this new life, new city, new home, new baby. It is overwhelming at times but I am grateful for God's assurances that life is ok and that it keeps moving. Even if its at a pace and sometimes directions that I don't like.

Karsen with Moma Jo

Karsen with my Dad