Mothers' Day Eve

There's no way to thank moms enough... how does one express his love and appreciation to the woman who brought him into this world, denied herself repeatedly in caring for his every need for years, asking nothing in return but that her children take the lessons she so persistently sought to teach us and lead purposeful, joy-filled lives!

I could've had no greater model for how to live that kind of life than the one set by my own mother, pictured below with her oldest daughter and mineLana's mom is also happiest when she is surrounded by her children, and grandkids... is that true of all moms or am I especially-blessed?Kara and Tim could not have hand-picked a more devoted mother... Lana loved them more than life itself, pouring herself into their lives as if she'd known her time on this earth would be short... her legacy lives on even as she has moved on to greater things!And it would be criminal not to mention all the "moms" who have stood in the gaps for my kids after Lana's departure... Ginny Pierson, Linda Richardson, Debra Fontaine, Terry Moates, Jeri Watson, Laura Benzing, Denise Bagby, Liz Johnson, Susan Williams, JoLynn Goffin, Cheri Hagan, Cher Zurlinden, Berdjette Barker, Dottie Shuman, Joey Outlaw, Pam Justice, Julie Johnson, Donna Logan... and that's just for starters and just in Asheville; the list grows exponentially as I add in those in Atlanta, Gainesville, Managua, Jacksonville and our extended family all over the world!

May God bless you all in the measure that you've blessed us and grant you the happiest of Mothers' Days!