If my mother were still living, today would have been her birthday. She would have been 79 years old. She passed away from lung cancer 20 years ago on July 5th. That's right, she died just three days after her 59th birthday. Fortunately for us and her she went quickly. I prayed that the Lord would take her quickly because I didn't want her to lie around suffering for months. But anyway, I'll probably talk more about that on July 5th. Today would have been her birthday. Born 1929 to Charles S. and Zula M. Hull, one of 12 children 10 of which survived. One was born dead and one died as an infant shortly after its birth. There were 8 girls and 2 boys. Only 5 girls remain. She was a small woman 5'1" tall and never weighing more than 100 pounds all her life. She lived a rough life and did some things of which I am not proud, but she was mom and I loved her then and I love her now. We were very close. Even when I was young she talked to me like I was an adult. In many ways she was my best friend. When my friends were going to their peers with their problems I went to my mother. We didn't always agree but she always showed me respect. I wish I could say I did the same for her, but that wouldn't be true. She made a lot of mistakes but that's just what they were, mistakes. I don't hold those things against her.
One of the best memories I have of my mother is that when I was young she used to sing around the house a lot while she did her chores. She could sing! The Lord did not allow me to inherit her singing ability. I still remember some of the songs she used to sing. Mostly country and western (that's what we called it in those days). Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Lefty Frizzell, etc. And she could yodel. Most people today don't even know what that is. I would love to hear her sing again.
Well, I don't know what else to say so I guess it's best to shut up. Oh, just one more thing:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!!!I LOVE YOU!
Thanks to all our American men and women who are serving or have served in the military and to all who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can be free. You have kept this the greatest country in all the world. I am glad to be an American and to live in this country. The fact that everyone wants to come here to live is a testimony to what a great country this is. 
