The greatest woman I've ever known

Jean Carol Ashford Boerckel. The name might not be in history books. Most of the world may not recognize the name. To me it is one of the sweetest and most significant names in my life, worn well by the greatest woman I have ever known. My precious mom. Today is her birthday. She would have been 56 today.

She was known for her infectious laugh, huge smile and the twinkle in her eyes. She was my dad's greatest partner, my brother's biggest fan, and my very best friend. She loved the Lord with faith like a child...she trusted Him not only in wonderful times but in the worst of times too.

She was without a doubt queen of hospitality. We constantly had people over for dinner. Missionaries stayed with us while in country. Several people lived with us for months at a time when they were trying to turn their life around. Our home was the house to hang out not only for my own friends but for Andy's as well. Every Friday night before a football game you would find the offensive line from my brother's team in our kitchen with mom behind a blender making milkshakes. She was room mom, team mom, and mom to our friends whose moms weren't around or weren't as good as they could have been. She served on the PTA, yelled louder than most parents at any sporting event, and proudly wore Andy's colors and picture with pride. She made gymnastics leotards, though it almost killed her, for my entire team.

You wouldn't ever find her up front, but she constantly did all the behind the scenes things she possibly could. She was a servant at heart. She laughed often and loved deeply. There has never been another person that has made me feel more comfortable to be me, and more loved. She was my best friend and I told her everything, as a child and as an adult. She wasn't just a good mom, she was the very best. I learned how to live well and how to die well because of her.

Very rarely can I speak of her without tears streaming down my face (they are right now). It isn't because I'm sad for her. Her home is with her Savior now and I have hope and truth to stand on because I know I will see her again. She was decorator extrordinaire and while the Lord may have built my mansion in Heaven I guarantee she has talked Him into letting her decorate it for me.

But I miss her. I miss her deeply. To the degree we love, we often grieve. My hearstrings are tied to hers for eternity. And frankly there are days I would do anything to just sit and have dinner with her, to hold her hand, to hear her laugh, to see her with my children. Heavenly Father, I still don't understand why you took her so early but thank You for blessing me with the kindest, most loving mom ever. Happy Birthday, Momma. I love you!