Tuesday, November 6, 2012- Happy Birthday Mom!

I am always a little timid to write about people who mean the most to me. I am always afraid I will not adequately describe the feelings and memories I have about them, but in honor of my mother’s birthday I will try to describe how much I am thankful for my mom and what she has taught me in life.

On November 6, 1950 a little girl was born to Billy and Betty Smithmier. She was the youngest of three children and joined two brothers in the family. Her oldest brother, Mike, was only two years old and her brother, Gary, was exactly 1 years old. Gary was born on November 6, 1949 and so these two siblings would also share this special bond. Karen Jane has wonderful memories growing up with her parents and brothers and it is a joy to hear of her tell of her childhood. When Karen was 13 years old tragedy struck their tight-knit family when in January of 1964 their beloved father was killed in a car accident on his way home from work one morning. Their family of four continued to live on without their beloved husband and father, but it was tough and it forced the whole family to take on roles that a normal housewife of 1964 would have taken on and caused the three teenagers in the house to grow up faster than other teenagers. I never once in my entire life ever heard my Grandmother, Mom, Uncle Mike, or Uncle Gary complain of the storm they faced. Oh, I am sure they felt it was unjust or questioned “why”, but they lived or continue to live a great testimony of overcoming tragedy in life. It was only until I was in college did it hit me the depth of this tragedy in a young teenagers life and I respect my mom so much for her strength. My mom went off to Nashville, TN to attend college and there she met my dad and got married. They moved to Kankakee, IL to help some dear friends with a Home Mission church some 37/38 years ago and that is where they settled to raise my brother, sister, and myself. My mom has worked faithfully beside my dad at Douglas Net Company for 30 plus years and has been a faithful servant as a pastor’s wife. Those are some “facts” about my mother’s life, but here are some things that make my mom so special to me.

My mother is a giver. She loves to make people feel special and important, even when she does not know them very well. She loves to make people happy! She always has made every holiday special. She goes out of her way to make sure we received gifts and things that made our day the BEST. She does this not because she wants glory or recognition, she genuinely wants to make someone’s day. She is also kind to everyone. Growing up she loved our friends and boyfriendsJ She knew everyone’s favorite drink or chip or dessert and she made sure she had them all when friends would come over to our house. I know without a doubt that I have learned this kindness from her and I am thankful for it. I think I also learned her gift of forgiveness. My mother does not hold grudges against people. I remember as a young girl my mom had a good friend in our church who started treating my mother terrible (comes with the pastor’s wife territory I am afraid). My mom was painting the living room and she was sitting on the ladder talking on the phone with this lady and she was weeping telling the woman if she had done something to offend her she was sorry. My mother had not done anything wrong, but she was trying to make it right. I also remember in fifth grade when I went to the doctor and I first heard the word "obese". My mother was furious that the doctor would tell me that I was obese. I remember her talking on the phone to my Grandma and was so upset on my behalf. She told me not to let his words bother me. Sorry mom that one did not slip by. My mom would be heartbroken for us when friendships and relationships crumbled. She was our biggest cheerleader at sport events (mostly Kevin and Kristy because athletic ability is not in my genes) and at music performances.

As I got older and went off to college my mom took on a new role as caring for my Grandma. My mom made that 8 hour trip every few weeks to care for my Grandma as her health was deteriorating. She was amazing with my Grandma despite the heartache to watch her dwindle away. It was nice, however, to see her so often in TN. She was once again my rock on the dreadful day that I had to call her and tell her that I had cancer. We do joke about her response because she was so in shock that she actually said, "Okay, I will talk to you later" and then hung up the phone:) She fasted and prayed for me during that time and was my biggest encourager. She was with me after my surgery and wept with me as the nurse who came in was so unkind to me and my mom stood up for me. My mom walked me around the hospital those days following my surgery to help me build up strength. It was only fitting that my mom was with me when Samuel was placed into my arms and we took him into the bathroom to get him changed from his traveling clothes. I feel like I am leaving so much out! Afterall, there is no way I can document every wonderful thing my mother has done and all the times she has been there for me.

The last thing I want to mention is her unconditional love. She has loved her three children and six grandkids with every ounce of her being. Through good, bad, and indifference she loves us and I cannot ask for a better mom. I am so blessed that I now live so close to her! I love you mom! Thanks for EVERYTHING!

The Family- Minus my brother, Kevin:(