Dear Mom:

Thank you for choosing to have a fifth kid! I am glad I was born and grateful for the many life adventures you gave me and the lessons you taught.

A few 鈥淢argaret-isms鈥� that have stood the test of time鈥�

1. When you get up in the morning, take 30 minutes to get 鈥渃ute鈥� for the day, then you can spend the rest of the day doing things for others and not worrying about yourself.

2. Take time to smell the flowers and bring some to those who might be needing some encouragement.

3. NO doesn鈥檛 always mean no. Sometimes it just means 鈥渘ot yet.鈥�

4. Think outside the box. When funds are low, even a banana dog can be a yummy meal.

5. Hospitality is important. Open your home often. And a 10-minute warning is usually just enough time to get the main messes cleaned up.

6. Thanks for teaching me to pencil in my eyebrows when you were 82.

7. Pray about everything. Nothing is too small for God to care about.

While not everyone is a mother, we all had a mother. Grateful for my mom. She showed me how to live and die well. I hope I am still making her proud. Dedicated to my mom, Margaret Johnston (1936-2020). She never wanted people to know her age, because she thought they鈥檇 start treating her as old. I celebrate her 83 years of making an impact. Happy Mother鈥檚 Day!

Janice Nikkel,

Aldergrove