1 Thessalonians 5:17, New Living Translation

“Never stop praying.”

A part of me doesn’t even know how to begin this.

This is the first birthday letter I have ever written for my mother without her here to read it.

There’s one special memory I always cherish when it comes to her birthday:

Entenmann’s Chocolate Cake.

Almost every year, that’s what we had. I can still picture us in the kitchen at 3 a.m., giggling while eating cold chocolate cake straight out of the container. Half the time we would talk nonsense because we were so tired, and the other half she would talk with me about my future.

She’s my best friend.

I think of our adventures together, always doing something side by side. We even argued like best friends, slamming doors over silly things, only for her to come into my room later and ask if I wanted to go get Checkers with her.

I remember the last birthday gift I gave her: A necklace with a heart and “Mom” written on it. It came in a little box with a bear and flowers. She hugged me so tightly when she opened it. But when I gave her the freeze-dried Skittles, her face lit up with even more excitement.

She always cherished simple gifts.

Do you know what the last gift she gave me was?

Her prayers.

A mother’s guiding voice reminding me, “God loves you so much.” At the time, I brushed it off. But now I see that was the greatest gift of all.

Her last prayer was for me to know the Lord, to return to Him, to love Him with all my heart. And before she went to rest with Him, she got to see me unwrap that gift.

Now I don’t just love Him with all my heart, I love Him with my whole being.

Salvation is the greatest gift, and she prayed it for me.

This year, I didn't get the chance to give her a gift, but she gave me one that will last forever.

I know this life is fleeting. I know God will return and restore all that is broken. I trust Him to bring my best friend back to me.

Until then, Mommy, God has kept His promise. He is taking care of me. And just like you, he is my best friend too.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Mommy. I love you.