My mom, my best friend.

Today was mothers day. My situation is a bit different than many as my mother has lived in France for the last 38 years. My parents are Baptist missionaries over there.
So in the last 23 years I have not spent one Mother's day with her. It was worse before when calling her cost me a body part just to dial her number. However, now we have unlimited long distance, skype, computers, and many more ways to communicate. It makes it easier but it is still not the same. As kids we never realize all the things that our mother's do for us. We take it for granted that she will always be there, accessible whenever we have a need or desire to talk or see her. We take for granted the meals and clean clothes we wear. Never think about the hours spent on tired knees in prayer over us. The long hard nights when we are sick or having nightmares that mom is the one to hold us and comfort us. 
Having three children and a grandchild of my own, I now see all the things she did and does. I appreciate them. Let me give you an example or two of my mom's special love.
Both times I had my children, they were traumatic births. C sections due to long labors and my body not cooperating with the system. Both times my mother got on a plane and flew back from France. She stayed with me for a month, took care of the babies at night and I never even knew she was up with them. 
Another big example is when I was raped. I didn't tell her for several months. I didn't know how she would react. I was trying to deal with it and work through it on my own. I tried so hard to figure it all out. I finally told her and she jumped on the plane and came home surprising me. She dealt with my anger, my pain, my internal battles. She held my hand and let me cry.
She hit her knees and prayed. I know she did. That's what she does. I don't know how I would have made it through without her. 
When I was young she was my mom. Now she is my best friend. Thank you mom for everything you have done. Thank you for everything you do. Never think I don't notice, appreciate and although I am not good with compliments, acknowledge what a wonderful person God chose to bless me with for a mother. 
I recently read a note a child wrote to his mom. It simply said
Thank you for being my mom. If I had another mom I would punch her and come find you. I love you. 
I think that says it all!
Love your daughter
Lyndee/Melynda :)