Happy Birthday Mom

Ramona Casey grew up in the tiny farm town of Causey, New Mexico. At the age of 4, my mom met a sweet little boy named Joe Parker in her Sunday School class at the local First Baptist Church. During their high school years they began to date and both realized their desire to pursue higher education, something uncommon in this tiny town. Upon high school graduation, they were accepted at the University of Eastern New Mexico, where they both pursued degrees in education.

Shortly after starting college, at the age of 19, they were married with a borrowed dress, a wedding cake made by her sister, and yellow daisy adorning the church. Only a few years later, my mom experienced difficult loss through a tubal pregnancy that left doctors unsure of her ability to have more children. Thankfully, God blessed them with 3 daughters over the next 7 years. During that time, mom completed both her bachelor's and master's degrees in education and began a teaching career that would last nearly 20 years.

Mom was always a great support to my dad as he pursued his career as an attorney and eventually as a judge. Somehow my mom always managed to work while also keeping us fed with wholesome homemade meals. Not only that, but she also showed me and my sisters how to pursue Christ through a daily quiet time and by using her spiritual gift of hospitality. I can't remember a time without extra dinner guests, planning the next year's Labor Day breakfast, or hosting a weekly Bible study.

As my children begin to learn loving books and Bible stories, I am reminded of the many hours my mom spent reading to me every night. I also think of the night I became a follower of Christ. I was 10 years old and on the way home from the grocery store, my mom and I began to talk about Jesus' place in my life. After we pulled into the garage, we sat and prayed together. It is a vivid memory in my mind and a foundational moment in my walk with the Lord. 

Thank you mom. Have a very Happy Birthday.