I’ve been thinking about my life. It’s really been a perfect life. I grew up in an idyllic little farm community, living just a few miles from my maternal and paternal grandparents. I spent lots of time with them. They were well respected…and they loved me.

My mom and dad were high school sweethearts. Dad was a basketball standout and musician and Mom was one of the beautiful Smith Twins. They came to all of my games, concerts and plays. They worked hard and they played with me. They were well respected…and they loved me.

My only sister, Kristy, (who had a 4.0 from kindergarten through law school) was always patient with and kind to me. She remains the voice of reason in our family. She was well respected…and she loved me.

My older brother, Danny, was a handsome athlete and he played electric guitar in a band called The X-L’s. Just 15 months older than me, we shared the same friends, and I was so proud he was my brother. He was well respected…and he loved me.

My little brother, Nathan, was the favorite child. We all knew it. Even though Kristy, Danny and I pretended to protest, he was our favorite, too. He was musical and athletic. He was well respected…and he loved me.

When I was seventeen, my parents let me go to Oral Roberts University where I met the most wonderful man.  He was handsome, musical and not so athletic. I knew if I married him I would be the happiest person in the world. He was well respected…and he loved me.

Thirty years ago, I gave birth to our beautiful twin daughters. Nineteen months later, I gave birth to our beloved son. Five years later, I gave birth to another precious daughter. They are athletic and musical and they love God and love people. They are well respected…and they love me.

In the last nine years, we have added by marriage three sons and a daughter who love God. They are athletic and musical (though they will not watch the Gaither’s with me).They are well respected…and they love me.

Two weeks ago, our 8^th grandchild was born. We have 3 grandsons and 5 granddaughters. They are healthy and happy. They will probably be musical and athletic, and I know they will love God and love people. They don’t really know what “respect” is…but they love me.

We’ve had a few of what we thought were disappointments, but I honestly can’t think of any that are worth recounting. We are healthy. Our needs are met. We have wonderful friends. We get to serve God and love people and love God and serve people. The Father God has us engraved in the palm of His hand.

I don’t “deserve” any of this. I didn’t “earn” it. It’s because of the goodness of God and the heritage of G.B. and Lucille Wilson, Harry (Asimakoupoulos) and Margaret Smith, and Dan and Louise Wilson…they were well respected and they loved me.

On this Mother’s Day, I pray that years from now my children and grandchildren will reflect back on rich, full lives and say of me, “She loved God and served people. She was well respected…and she loved us.”