Happy Birthday Mom!

Today marks the summer solstice, but it also marks my mom's birthday. She is *ahem* years old now. =)

I have the coolest mom in the world with the most brilliant dry humor. When people realize that she is my mom, they usually say, "You're just like your mom." As a teenager, I took it as an insult. But as an adult, I now consider it a huge compliment. If I could be half the woman my mom is, I would consider it a blessing. Let me share just a little bit about how cool she is (in no particular order)...

1. She didn't know how to speak Cantonese when she got married, but she picked it up from sermon translations. Now, she's fluent.


2. She was scared of driving on freeways, but when my dad passed away, she refused to be hindered by fear. She is now a pro at driving on freeways and even does so when it's not necessary.


3. Her standard way of saying bye to me from the time I was a youth until now is either "Bye. Don't get into any arguments with anyone." or "Bye. Don't take any drugs. But if you do, bring some home for Mom." (Please note that my mom does not condone drugs... She just trusts her kids a lot and knows that we'll never take drugs.)


4. When I freak out about stuff or when I'm really sad, she immediately asks to pray with me.


5. She wakes up before 5:00AM every morning to pray. If she says she's going to pray for you, she won't forget. She's got you on her list.


6. Instead of expecting to be pampered on Mother's Day, she hangs out with older ladies who either don't have children or whose children have all moved far away. This is unless the Lakers are playing... in which case, she's glued to the TV.


7. When I told her about going to seminary, she was immediately supportive. She didn't balk at the idea like other mothers may have.


8. She's going on a missions trip this summer to Ukraine. How cool is that!?!?!


9. She hugs me and tells me that she loves me all the time. How un-Chinese!


10. She makes fun of my brother and me, and lets us make fun of her. She doesn't allow us to take ourselves too seriously.

This is only a short list of how awesome my mom is. But my favorite thing about her is that she deeply and passionately loves God. Happy birthday, Mom!

"I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also" (2 Timothy 1:5). This is about Timothy's grandmother and mother, but it's also so true about my own grandmother and mother.