Happy Birthday Mom

Mom,

Happy Birthday to a wonderful mother! You know when you are going through difficult situations you don't always see God's hand right away. I know that on your birthday 34 years ago you were preparing for the birth of your first child. A few weeks later she was gone...and I'm sure that it felt like the world was coming to an end. However, God gave me to you one year later, and He would not have been able to do that if circumstances were different. I'm glad that I am one of those children who were handpicked to be part of a family! God definitely placed me with you and Dad for a reason.

You are the one who helped guide my footsteps towards God. Remember when our family stopped going to Catholic church (I'm sure your in-laws and parents thought you guys jumped off the deep end and took your precious innocent children on a road leading straight to hell!), and then you started visiting all sorts of churches? Who was always with you? Me!! And we visited some strange little churches.....then you decided that your children were going to be a part of the youth group whether they wanted to or not so you invited the pastor to have youth group at our house!!!!

We've yelled at each other, you've chased me around the house with a wooden spoon, you've grounded me, you've tried to wash my mouth out with soap....but you've always been there for me, Shannon and Camille.

I hope you have a fantastic birthday!!!!

Love
Rachel Ann

PS....are you ok with me telling your friends that I am your oldest daughter at almost 33?!!!!!