Happy Birthday, Mom.

Today would have been my mother Helen’s 92nd birthday. It also marks 73 years since her first husband, Raymond Stephenson, a heroic B-17 pilot from Ironton, Ohio, died in a fiery crash during World War II. It happened on my Mom’s 19th birthday and their first wedding anniversary.

I read the letter again that he sent to her from England the day he died, a letter my Mom read on her birthday and their anniversary for more than six decades. On the occasion of her 80th birthday, she asked me to read it to her. Her decision to share that letter changed the direction of my life. Adding to the fullness of life of her children, regardless of age, is what a good Mom does.

No matter how long you have your Mom in your life, it is never long enough. Happy birthday, Mom. I miss and love you.