I'm so thankful that, when my little brother and I were small, our parents taught us to say simple prayers (I think I remember The LORD's Prayer, which is a big deal!). They also took us to church for a few years--long enough for us to get born again, thank goodness! 

M dear mother, who grew up in poverty, the oldest girl of many siblings (and thus, responsiblt for them in large part) has been such a gift to my family and me, and to many, many others. She did well in marrying my dad (who also was the oldest and most responsible of many siblings), and they were married for a little over 60 years, when Dad went to Heaven. 

She's been hard to buy for through the years, because she's so giving herself, but the LORD helped me (as He always does!) to write this poem, which is something that she could never buy. It has been an encouragement to her, especially as she shares it with others, and as I continue to remind her, she has already lived all of this! (She's lost some memory from various traumas, and sometimes seems to think I'm exaggerating in the poem. No, I'm not!)

Here it is, and may it inspire you to create original writings to honor and encourage your loved ones, who are gifts from God! 

      Our Mom is….A Very Classy Lady!

1. Quite a teacher
2. Quite a leader
3. Teaching us big words
4. To be good readers
5. A winner at the Four States Fair
6. With her biscuits deliciously there
7. Girl Scouts, 4-H, brownies—
8. Speaking of brownies
9. Her cooking is delish
10. Whether main meals
11. Or sweets—yum yum!
12. She loves to fulfill others’ wishes
13. She loves to fulfill our every wish
14. Fried donuts with powdered sugar
15. Sweet candies on the windowsill
16. Clapping, shouting, cheering
17. Us on through track and thrill
18. Always helping, always kind
19. With a generous, creative mind
20. Quite an entrepreneur
21. A master decorator of cakes
22. Lovingly designing; lots of cool things she makes
23. Amazing drawings
24. And other work, (even with physical difficulty)
25. Garage sales galore
26. Pecan sales and more
27. NOT faint of heart
28. She shot the possum dead!)
29. Champion of the weak and needy
30. Always with an open hand
31. She and Dad bought and cleared several acres of land

1. Gardens flowering, pine trees towering
2. Welcoming family and friends
3. Helping them to meet the ends
4. Amazing in her ability
5. To give gifts just-right, in spite
6. Of being limited in mobility
7. Being faithful to her husband
8. Of some 60 years
9. Faithful to her family
10. Through triumph and through tears
11. Gracious and compassionate
12. Wise and frugal, for loved ones passionate
13. Dealing in integrity
14. Giving more than needed to be
15. A good teacher; encouraging
16. To rise up and excel in our gifts
17. Finally learning to receive
18. Help from others; to believe
19. That just as she loves to show
20. Love to those she does and even doesn’t know
21. That God cares for her, and she for others.
22. Truly, we have the Classiest Lady of all mothers!
23. A classy fashion designer
24. A good drawer of cute animals
25. Good at lagniappe (lan-yap)—“extra”/”bonus”/”the delight factor”!
26. One who draws unique and delightful art inside store-bought greeting cards, making them much more personal
27. One who thinks of others before herself
28. One who knows how to find a good deal
29. Frugal but generous
30. An amazing artist, in spite of major physical difficulties!
31. Persistent
32. One who stands up for others as needed
33. One who made up original songs on the piano
34. One who taught us to think of others
35. One who taught us the priceless skills of saying “Thank you”
36. One who taught us to say “Please”
37. One who taught us to show respect to teachers and other adults
38. One who taught us to say “Yes ma’am” and “No sir”
39. One who taught us to work diligently
40. One who is a good encourager
41. One who is a very good salesperson
42. One who knows how to dress well
43. One who is insightful
44. One who has served as a superb hostess
45. One who is very intelligent
46. One who knows that money is a tool
47. One who loves people as they are
48. Such a precious, faithful, generous, loving, doting Grandma!
49. One who has overcome extremely challenging obstacles and is still standing!
50. And is….a VERY CLASSY LADY!

WE LOVE YOU, DEAR MAMA!!! WE ARE VERY THANKFUL FOR YOU, and YOU HAVE SOOOOOOOOOOOO MANY REWARDS IN HEAVEN!

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE GOOD THINGS YOU ARE AND HAVE DONE!

(I always write this Blessing Scripture in the cards I give her. I've done that for years.) The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD turn His face to you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His face to you and give you peace (Shalom)! Numbers 6:24-26

Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel.