A Tribute: Thank you for giving me life.
On this Mother’s Day, I pause to honor you. While your friends know you as Dorothy Faye, your grandchildren know you as Gammy, and your great-grandchildren know you as Great Gammy, being your only daughter, I know you as Mama. And this privilege stands as one of God’s richest and most precious gifts to me. Thus, I begin my tribute.
Thank you for tirelessly meeting my needs, joyfully putting my desires before your own, and willingly giving of your very self on my behalf. Because you invested your life in equipping me to live mine—wherever I go and whatever I do—I feel prepared.
Spiritually, you taught me that life was to be lived loving God and serving people. One of the sweetest recollections I have of growing up is your teaching me the 23rd Psalm for recitation in my kindergarten program. Without a doubt, my heart’s yearning for the Word of God goes back to that beginning. And you taught me to sing “Jesus Loves Me.” Every day I experience unspeakable joy in the reality of those precious, life-changing words learned so long ago.
Security and significance are anchored in the core of my being. Somehow, in some incredible way, you consistently made me feel loved, accepted and valued.
Turning the pages of memories brings a smile. Somehow you managed to convey the joy and dignity of being a lady while granting me the freedom to be a tomboy. You taught (and enforced) good grooming and simultaneously applauded my wearing cowboy boots and getting dirty. From you, I learned to treasure the smell of gardenias, conversation over a cup of coffee with a friend, Southern recipes, and the deep love of family. Oh, I am so grateful! And, that morning you let me roller-skate before school outdoors in my pajamas demonstrated to me that some rules are better broken.
Thank you for the high priority you have placed on communication. You demonstrated that there is simply no substitute for time spent together. All those hours logged in the car driving to and from town provided the perfect opportunity to talk. Praise God, our disagreements—typically over hairstyle, dress length, or tardiness—remained short-lived. And I cannot recall one single event that I participated in that you did not attend. How amazing!
Whenever I have needed assistance or advice, you made yourself available. You have never, and I truly mean never, been too busy for me. In all the decades we lived so far away, you made sure our relationship stayed close. Distance only served to enhance the warmth and assurance of your love and involvement in my life. Still, you remain my loyal, devoted prayer warrior, my go-to for guidance on sorting out schedule conflicts, and my better-than-Google resource regarding all things culinary.
Mama, I learned from you to cherish the calling of wife and mother. In you, I found the perfect model. You are so incredibly unselfish. You have always been willing to cheerfully sacrifice for the good of our family. And, I must add, you have written the book on how to be an ideal grandmother. Oh, that I might live to have the awesome privilege of hearing my grandchildren and great-grandchildren say the words of me that your grandchildren say about you!
Proverbs 31:28 states, “Her children rise up and call her blessed.” May this be a day of celebration for you. What a privilege that, within our mother-daughter relationship, I can call you my best friend. Mama, you are deeply loved and eternally appreciated. To God be all the praise and glory.
I love you dearly,
Debby
First day of 1st grade, 1956
Living With Eternal Intentionality®
Consider writing a tribute to your mother, or your spiritual mother, whether she still lives or has passed away. While you may intentionally write it to her, you will discover enormous benefits for yourself.
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