March 20, 2011- Hayley Owens

I cannot tell you how much I have been putting this off. Truly, I was counting on you following through on the "I will not turn twenty and be alive" pact we made at thirteen. Alas, you go ahead and survive to be old, in the second century of your life and changing the world daily. For those of you who don't know who I am referring to when I say Hayley Owens, you might recognize her with the name Mom which we decided to give ourselves around the time we made the "I will not turn twenty and be alive" pact. Mom and I go way back to birth when our real mom's decided to hang out (like many sisters do) and tote us along with them to mom things like jazzercise, lunch dates and family events you can't get out of. As we grew up and middle school rolled around, Mom and I quickly bonded over the fact that we were both fat and weird.  


From there we journeyed through the high school years where she had to put up with my constant complaining and inconsistent decisions on boys along with my doubts and fears for the future. She never once complained about my rants or turned me away when I had a bad day and needed someone to talk to. She was a true friend that I never wanted to spend a day without. We would spend entirely too much time on the phone, on iChat or begging our parents to let us hang out. We drank way too much coffee, came up with ridiculous ideas and spent our life savings on gas to just drive around. Looking back at those memories I am reminded of some of my absolute favorite times with one of the most incredible gifts the Lord has ever given me. I am beyond lucky to have a friend that I can always rely on through any situation, and that I know will never give up on me.


Mommy, I cannot tell you how thankful I am for you and your incredible heart for others. There are many days that I recall the selfless love you had for me then and still have for me now. We have a friendship that none will ever understand and I am so appreciative for you. You have the most beautiful way of loving others and never putting yourself first. You listen to the Lord's call for you and you always put your full reliance on Him. Stay strong in where you are now and remember that He has you there for a reason. Continue to be a radiating light wherever you go, and never forget how precious you are to Him. I love you forever.


Isaiah 40:28-31
"Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."


I couldn't pick just one of these: