My mother-in-law turned 90 this week. For her birthday she wanted all of her family to go to church with her. Except for one grandchild who could not make it, everyone came from Colorado, North Carolina, Texas, Georgia, and Alabama. We all showed up for Pat who has been showing up for us for a lot of years. I am privileged to be a part of a great family. My mother-in law, Pat Norris, has lived her life with such a high level of integrity and goodness and commitment and hard work and with a strong stubborn mother’s love. For 60 years she has sung in the choir at First United Methodist Church in Montgomery. The only time she ever missed church in those 60 years was when she was out of town. She retired from the choir last week. I look at the family she raised, and I see in her children and grandchildren the same kind of core values and commitment to Christ and the right things in every single one of them. Her witness has been consistent, compelling, and committed through the years. The highest honor that our family could bestow on her is stated well in Proverbs, “Her children rise up and call her blessed.” I hope you will live your life at such a high level of honor, commitment, faithfulness, and love that your children and grandchildren will rise up and call you blessed. Remember, loving and being loved will lead you to the most blessed life.
– Dr. Tim Thompson