Dear Mom,
I know your birthday is not today but tomorrow and since I'm
never on my computer or i-phone on the weekends, I wanted to go ahead and post this. You are one of the strongest and most independent women I know and for that I am grateful. You have always visibly shown Maggie, Jack and I how to stand tall on two feet when something as horrible as a gut wrenching divorce in our family occurred. Though storms in life may slay us, you were always the constant strong palm tree in the raging wind and with a big smile on your face like Papaw.
Growing up I always remember the two of us and BJ (my collie) together when Dad was gone. You loved animals and I know this is where our love for animals came from. You weren't as crazy about cats as Dad and I were but you loved a dog and when mamaw + papaw brought BJ in as a puppy I was so excited! He was the biggest ball of fur and I loved having him go everywhere with us. Even when he jumped on the kindergarten bus or when he got out of our backyard fence and went running around our Lakeshore neighborhood visiting the Chaney's or visiting Pee Wee Lake. Sometimes the dog catcher in town would pick him up and call you to tell you, "BJ is here!"
You showed such compassion to homeless animals and I'll never forget the time you were driving me to gymnastics one afternoon and a small black cat had been hit in the middle of College Drive and the poor thing was just a mess. I was screaming if I remember correctly. You grabbed a beach towel and had me hold him while we rushed him to the vet. When they took him into emergency surgery, he lifted his head up off the operating table to meow at you and John Hollman (our vet) said, "he just said thanks Becky!" That cat made it and ended up being adopted by one of the nurses there sporting a new name
Hercules.
As a nurse I think compassion just came with your makeup. You instilled in us that we should always treat everyone equal and help those less fortunate than others. Every Christmas we would get an "angel" off our salvation army Christmas tree at church and we would go buy lots of presents for that child. You were only supposed to buy one present but we always would be lots of toys and clothes and place it in one large present. Giving is so much more important than receiving and both you and Dad taught me that.
You instilled in me morals, values and the difference between wrong and right. In addition, manners and how can I forget those etiquette classes I had to take at the country club one week when I was sick with strep throat and you were convinced Sarah Catherine and I were faking sickness to get out of the class.
You were always so active running and growing up between swim team and gymnastics my schedule was always busy. I never liked golf but you and Leah would get tickled when I would hit as many shots as I could with Jeff so we could get off the driving range and back to the pool at MCC. Staying physically fit was always important in our family and you made it a priority. We were always outside playing and doing something! You didn't let us just sit inside and watch tv. Sarah Catherine and I were always on the move with BJ.
You created such traditions with us especially at Christmas time and Halloween. Your flair for decorating comes right out of
Southern Living and sometimes you'll walk in and say, "that doesn't look right" to which I know you need to fix it.
You can cook just like mamaw and your chili is one of my favorite recipes for fall.
When I was going through rush at UK, I could call you and tell you everything that was going on and see what you thought about each house. You knew exactly everything I needed and unknown to me you were calling the Chi Omega house to see how I was doing even though I ended up going Tri-Delt
(Delta Delta Delta) and ending the long era of Chi-Omega's in our family.
You've taught me so much Mom and hardly a day goes by without me talking to you. Through all of life's decisions and road blocks you have always taught me to keep going and never give up on my dreams. You love Maggie, Jack and I unconditionally and I know you are always on our side no matter what. You put your family before yourself in all of your journey.
I'm so thankful to have such a wonderful and beautiful mother inside and out! I love you dearly.
Happy Birthday Mom!
love,
sarah morgan
