Happy Birthday, Mum

It's my mum's 60th birthday today. My brothers did a great job of celebrating mum over the weekend and I wanted to post the script I wrote to the video I made for her :

It’s not unusual to hear people say I don’t feel old enough to have a daughter do such and such but I can say I don’t think I am old enough to have a mother who turns 60… but you have sympathy from your granddaughter as Rose does not get why 60 is such a big deal.

And, honestly, when I think about the average 60 year old of a generation ago, life and expectation has moved on.  I mean you are not even allowed to retire at 60 anymore!

Reflecting as a mother, I want to honour you for the way you helped to shape me, and continue to support and love me. I recognize the amazing self-sacrifice and hidden pouring out of yourself into the life of dad, Tim, Sam and I that I never realized you made.

I respect the difficult decisions you have made for our family to function the best you knew how.  For the love and prayer you have used as the foundation of our family.

I admire the way you have pursued dreams and been willing to make significant changes to achieve them.

And I am delighted that you get to see and be involved in the next generation of our family through 5 wonderful grandchildren.

I hope we bring you joy as you celebrate 60 fun, and agonizing, high, and low, easy, and difficult, joyful, and tearful years living God’s purpose for you.