22 Comments
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Gary Cantwell's avatar

Melody, there is no greater gift you could have given than this beautiful and heart-felt tribute to your godly mother. You are blessed to have her as a mother and I am blessed that God brought us together as husband and wife.

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Melody's avatar

Thank you, Dad. ❤️ I am truly blessed with the most wonderful parents and am grateful every day that God gave us to each other! You were no small part in supporting her through the sacrifices she made to give us the life we had.

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Patti Cantwell's avatar

Thank you, Melody, for your kind words. I feel so honored and blessed to be your mom! This means so much to me and is so encouraging!

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Melody's avatar

I love you, Mom, and mean every word! Thank you for all the gifts you have given me!

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Sheila's avatar

I love this, Melody, and read every word. I want to be this kind of mother for my children, though some of it feels unlike me. Today is my grandma's birthday, too—she died ten years ago, but would have been 105 today. I appreciate her more, the more I hear about her. May the stories you tell here increase others' appreciation of your mom, as well.

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Melody's avatar

Thank you, Sheila! It is all God's love and grace. May your children come to know this through you, in the unique way God made you. Blessings as you remember your dear grandmother today.

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Henny leonard's avatar

What a lovely and touching tribute to gift your mother, Melody! I'm so glad we had the chance to meet both your parents and to see the mutual love and respect you share with them.

Happy birthday to your mom!

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Melody's avatar

Thank you, Henny! I'm so glad you got to meet them, too. ❤️

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Dominika's avatar

This is so beautiful and heartening to read, Melody. "My mother is Lady Wisdom." Seriously, the best compliment I can imagine any daughter saying to her mother. I can only hope my kids will think of me half so well. Also that picture on your wedding day! Stunning!!

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Melody's avatar

Thank you, Dominika! I am so blessed to be her daughter. I'm sure your children will rise up and call you blessed one day, too!

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Craig's avatar

Your mom is a remarkable lady. Happy birthday, Patti!,

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Melody's avatar

Indeed she is! Thank you, Craig.

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Jane Schwarting's avatar

Melody, what a beautiful tribute you’ve written to your mother on her birthday! As I read through each one of the topics, it helped me reflect back on my own mother, to see how she made me the woman I am today. We are so thankful for your mother, as she developed you into the perfect wife for Marcus. We love you, and we are thankful for both of your parents for molding you into such a beautiful woman.

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Melody's avatar

Thank you so much, Jane! I'm so glad I got the chance to know your mother for a few years. She was a treasure. Love you too ❤️

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Margaret Conner's avatar

I opened Facebook this morning and this is the first thing I read, Melody. How wonderful a tribute. As a mother to our dear adult son with a chronic health condition, I recognize many of the attributes you mention that he points out to me! As mothers, we need to just keep doing the next thing, faithfully, intentionally with love, with God’s help.

Thank you for this. Your parents are very blessed!

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Gary Cantwell's avatar

Hi Margaret! I wonder if you know that Melody is my daughter and this amazing woman she writes of is my wife. I didn’t realize you two had connected. I pray things are well with you.

— Gary Cantwell

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Margaret Conner's avatar

Hi Gary,

Nice to hear from you from our Trinity days. I did know that Melody is your lovely daughter.

And, yes, we met at the Orchard several years ago. We have had some major health challenges but God is good!

I hope all is well with you!

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Melody's avatar

I think Margaret found the post through the link I shared on Facebook! We met when Marcus and I attended The Orchard.

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Melody's avatar

Thank you, Margaret! I'm so glad you are hearing that from your son, too. Little daily faithfulnesses build into a mountain of joy. I am indeed profoundly blessed!

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Elizabeth Brink's avatar

This is the loveliest tribute to your mother. I love the pictures. A very blessed birthday to her! I relate to so many of these things with my own mother. Truly, a good mother is one of God’s best gifts! Has your mother read D.E. Stevenson? It sounds like a good fit. Vittoria Cottage would be a great place to start. The heroine of it has many qualities that your mother has.

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Melody's avatar

Thank you, Elizabeth! I agree, a good mother is an incomparable gift. Maybe that's why we relate so much, if our mothers are similar. 😊 D. E. Stevenson is a perfect idea! Thank you.

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Elizabeth Brink's avatar

I think you’re right! Kindred spirit mothers and daughters! You’re welcome!

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