A Tiny Silver Birthday Cake

Happy Birthday, Mom!!
Today is my mom's birthday and I hope that it is a special day for her!

My mom is an extremely gifted and talented person in so many ways. She is creative, smart, and the best Grandmother to my child and nieces and nephews!

My mom is a talented seamstress. When I was a little girl, a lady at our church gave me some Barbie dolls, which I loved to play with. One Christmas, I happened upon my mom sewing some tiny little dresses, which she told me were for another little girl. Disappointed, yes, but I loved watching her sew. Imagine my surprise on Christmas morning when I unwrapped those little dresses!!! She sewed many dresses and outfits for me, including my wedding dress. I loved helping her to pin the patterns to the fabric and mark the details with that tiny pokey wheel and marking paper. And then when I was expecting a child, she gave me a sewing machine of my own, which I have used to make baby clothes, toddler dresses, quilts, slipcovers, pillows, curtains and many other things.
Thanks mom, for teaching me how to sew.

My mom is very creative. When I was young, she taught me how to be crafty. I remember making these fabulous candle holders out of old jars and cans. The items were stacked upon each other, taped together and then covered with a papier mache layer. Then we would add designs using string dipped in white glue. After it was dry, we would paint them, antique them and clear coat them. I remember a beautiful turquoise blue one that stood at my grandmothers house for many years. She also took me to ceramics classes, where I could pick out a piece of bisque, paint it, have it fired and display it on my dresser...remember the girl with the flower basket, the puppy dog and the orange mushroom?! I still have them! She also taught me how to embroider, cross stitch and encouraged me to try new things.
I give her credit for passing on the decorating gene and the education to learn how to use it!
Thanks mom, for opening my eyes to the colors and patterns around me.

My mom is a great cook. When we go to her house for a visit, she always makes sure to have our favorite things while we are there. The recipes that she has shared with me have become favorites in Virginia as well. When I go to my in-laws for a holiday meal, I take my mom's dressing, blueberry jello salad and coconut cake.
When we were little, she would let us help in the kitchen and now her grandchildren enjoy the same pleasure. Standing on a stool at the island, mixing up some banana bread is still a treat for the children.
Now, my sister and I cut up the fruit for a delicious dish known as "goo" and I remember my great-grandfather, in the kitchen, talking to my mom as he cut up the fruit when I was little.
Thanks mom, for teaching me how to cook and how to make memories.

My mom is a good friend. She has several friends, one as long as I can remember, who are special to her. I have learned by watching them, how to be a friend. That even when you are separated by distance or circumstances, you can pick up the phone and cross the miles with ease. My mom has the gift of never meeting a stranger. Last Christmas, while taking a break from shopping, she was sitting at a table and some other weary shoppers had joined her. She chatted easily and made a new friend!
Like my mom, many of my friends are church friends, people I have met through my child and people I have worked with. People I can laugh with, cry with and go to for help.
Thanks mom, for teaching me that to have a friend you have to be a friend.

My mom is a good Christian. She always made sure we were at church "every time the doors were open". When she was working on Wednesday, she arranged rides so we could get there on time for choir, handbells and dinner. She taught 9th grade girls Sunday School for many years and was one of my favorite teachers! She taught me at an early age that unless you make up your mind on Saturday to go to church on Sunday, you might not make it. When I thought I was old enough to decide when I wanted to go to church, she wisely knew that I wasn't ready to make that decision. And through her influence, I found a church home when I was away at school and after I married.
Thanks mom, for being a positive Christian influence in my life.

And last, but not least, my mom taught me how to be a good mom.
And I thank you for that!!

So, Happy Birthday, Judith Ann, happy birthday to youuuuuuu!!!