Day 13 

No sugar or dairy

On Day 11, I shared A Reflection of “What motivates me to not give up?” conveying how each feature inspires me. But I would be remised if I did not share one other “feature” that is also full of inspiration, which would be my mother~

You see, my mother is pretty amazing! She eloped at 15, had a baby girl at 16, and another at 19, and right before she turned 21, she went and did it again. But, at 29 years of age with 3 girls deposited at their grandma’s (her mother), she delivered the one and only male-child.

Not having a high school diploma didn’t stop her. She completed her GED, passed the Civil Service Test, and was hired at our small hometown Post Office as the Clerk on Saturday mornings, all the while helping my dad’s dream come true of having his own business, a lumber yard. Several years later, my mom graduated to Post-Master.

Life was hard. There were many ups and downs. But my mother never gave up and she still wears a beautiful smile.

Today is her wedding anniversary, spending it alone (after 57 years of celebrating anniversaries). My dad left this life April 2, 2015.

She certainly deserves to be pampered – and I’m sure my brother and sisters are doing a great job. I haven’t lived near her for many years now, but thankfully someone is always making sure I get down to Louisiana for a visit. —Family times are special times!

A beautiful song by Keith & Kristyn Getty, “By Faith,” is one of my favorites as we unite our voices at The Shepherd’s Church in Cary, NC. It truly is an inspiration as we belt out (Rodrigo especially belts when he sings):

By faith we see the hand of God

In the light of creation’s grand design

In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness

Who walk by faith and not by sight

We will stand as children of the promise

We will fix our eyes on Him our soul’s reward

Till the race is finished and the work is done

We’ll walk by faith and not by sight

Thanks, Mom, for walking by faith and not by sight!