Never Give Up!

Last Updated on March 23, 2018

March 9, 2011, is a day I will never forget. I am one of millions of Facebook users, and my birthday is listed on my profile. I received hundreds of birthday wishes from my friends.

My husband took the day off just to be with me all day. I felt like a school girl on my first date because I can’t remember the last time Ray and I spent an entire day together with no agenda. So we shopped, ate at a fancy restaurant, went to a movie, and then brought a cake home to celebrate with the kids.

That morning, I was greeted by my children, each singing the “happy birthday” song adding harmonies and “cha-cha-cha’s.” One son, busy with his college life, hadn’t called, texted, or emailed. So, I called him.

“Hello, Ross.”

“Hey, Mommy.”

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing much. I am sleeping in. We won the intramural basketball tournament.”

“Oh, how many points did you score?”

“About 20.”

“Great job! What’s today?”

SILENCE!!!!

“Oh, Mommy, is today your birthday?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, Mommy, happy birthday. I have an alarm set on my phone to remind me later. I didn’t forget.” (This is about one o’clock in the afternoon).

“Ok, Ross. Thanks for remembering. I will wait on your call when your alarm goes off. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

After a little more chatting, I got off the phone and smiled at his daddy sitting right next to me (Ross came by this trait honestly, and I was spending the day with the man who had passed it down to him). My husband, Ray, admitted that he, too, in college would be very neglectful in calling his mother.

After cake and presents from my children, I went to my Facebook account to see what other birthday well-wishes I had received. There, to my surprise, was the following birthday wish:

Happy birthday, Mommy! Love you and truly appreciate everything you have done for me. Especially after going to college and no longer eating food that melts in your mouth. Food that changes and is seasoned to perfection. O! how I love my mother! Not only for your food though, I love you for all those years you did my Laundry and hand-folded it. I love you for all the times you would drive me to Chick-fil-A, and every time would tell me “Have a nice day and be kind to the people.” O! how I miss that! I love that you care if I call you or not when I away from home, it makes me feel loved. I love you for all the “Mommy hugs” you gave me.

I love you for all those years you put up with me with home schooling. I love you for still being so kind and forgiving after all the lies I have told you. I love you for helping me with the kitchen when I procrastinated and it was late at night (because you knew Daddy wasn’t going to help me). I love you for being such an awesome mother that is always herself. Whenever I had a basketball game I LOVED when you would go! I would try not to show it, but I was such a proud son even if I was on the bench. Because you cheered louder and harder than any other person. Gosh! I love my Mother. You have done more than is expected for two mothers! I want to marry someone like you. I may be a little bit biased when saying this, but I mean it with all my heart. “Robyn McKelvy is the best mother in the whole world!!! I love you and have a happy happy 47 😉 Birthday!!

I had to stop halfway through reading this message because I was crying so hard. I now understand Galatians 6:9, which says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (ESV). I have reaped!

Ross also gave me a great present. All day long, I was celebrating my 49th birthday. He gave me two years back. I’ll take them.