#TellHisStory: Guest of Honor

August 21, 2013 | 4 comments

birthday cake, candles

It’s my fourth birthday, and Mom stands on the hem of my memory. I’m playing musical chairs with cherry-cheeked friends in the next room. And I think I see Mom on the edge, putting candles in a cake while standing barefoot in the kitchen. But it’s all so fuzzy.

Fast-forward to another party: I see the faint outline of Mom in the foyer, where she’s taping a paper donkey to the radiator, so we can pin the tail to it. If I squeeze my eyes tight enough, I can feel Mom pulling a dish-towel around my head, tying it in the back like a blindfold. I can’t say for sure, but I think Mom is the person spinning us around three times before we shuffle forward with that tail.

I remember some details with clarity: gifts, the names of the guests, what I wore, the elaborate cakes made by a neighbor lady. I remember the way our dignified dining room table—with its chunky legs and swollen feet—would humble itself to serve duty for a bunch of frosting-fingered first-graders. And, whether it’s true or not, I believe there was always a magical snowfall outside the dining room window.

But Mom, the one who loved me most? On the playback of birthdays past, Mom is always this one long blur. She was habitually in the background, I guess, like the butter that made the whole occasion slide from cake to song to gifts.

I’m not sure that I even thanked Mom for making me feel special.

The other day, I finally got to thank my mother properly. Will you join me over at TheHighCalling.org today for the rest of the story? Click here…

 

So, what’s your Story? A #TellHisStory is any story that connects your story into the story of God.

For details on the #TellHisStory linkup, click here: https://jenniferdukeslee.com/tell-his-story/. Be sure to find someone (or two) in the link-up to encourage with a comment. Come back on Friday to visit our Featured #TellHisStory, in the sidebar.

Your words matter to God. They matter to people. And they matter to me!

~Jennifer

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by | August 21, 2013 | 4 comments

4 Comments

  1. Kim

    Thanks for the opportunity to Tell His Story with you and others, Jennifer. I loved your post. Happy Birthday to your Mom. It’s a good reminder to tell – and show – our loved ones what they mean to us. Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Alicia Bruxvoort

    Oh, what a sweet night as your mom took the “spotlight” instead of serving in the shadows. My mom, too, is a beautiful blur in all of my childhood memories- always there but not demanding the applause. Happy birthday to your mom.

    Reply
  3. Laurie Collett

    Happy Birthday to your Mom, thanks for hosting, & God bless!

    Reply
  4. Anita Hunt (@KnowingJoy)

    Jennifer, your beautiful post brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for allowing us a wonderful glimpse of a deep love between you and your mum. I loved where you said ‘She’s inside the folds of my heart,’

    Happy birthday to you mum (mom) 🙂

    Thanks so much for the opportunity to link up.

    Blessings

    Reply

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