Happy Mother's Day

There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.  ~Chinese Proverb


I am thankful to be alive today. In no small way is my mother most responsible for this miricle. Yes she bore me for 9 months and delivered me, fed me, clothed me, spanked me, and believed in me. But what has held me together the most in the roughest parts of my life has been her unfailing love.


Some of you have heard my story of excess, doubt, and despair. As I wallowed away my life in stupidity, depression engulfed me and dragged me to the brink of death. In May of 2005 I decided to kill myself. Life had run its course and I felt no need to perpetuate my suffering any longer. But in the midst of the great darkness, a light broke in, an unexpected guest in my shame. I remembered a simple fact: my mom loved me. And it was this simple but earth-moving reality that saved me, gave me the strength to choose life and to choose love. 


Ever since, that has been my song, that love conquers all, even death. The love of my mom saved me and I thank God not only for her but for the mothers that loved her enough to teach me that song. So I honor her today and in some small way everyday, because each is a gift from God given through her love, each is a precious reminder that there is something good out there even when everything else testifies against it. And the greatest gift to date is the chance to teach my own daughter to sing. God has given me a woman in my wife who exemplifies all the beauty of my mother, and has proven to be the greatest mother I could ever hope for my own child.

Thank you Michala

Thank you Momma,

Thank you Grandma Mary

Thank you Great Grandmother Grace

Thank you God.