Finding Faith ... in Crazy G's birthday

Today is always a bittersweet day for me.

Amid the painful memories of what happened on 9/11, we also celebrate my mother's birthday. She will likely never see this post because my mother isn't what we would call "tech savvy." ... But I'd be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to say "Happy birthday!" to the most beautiful, sincere, faithful, steadfast, compassionate and family-centered woman this world has ever seen.

I can never thank her enough for imparting on me my values and for giving me a childhood I cherish. My mother gave birth to nine biological children, and raised eight of us, but I know that there are dozens more whom we kids drug home who knew her only as "Mom" as well. ... On this somber anniversary, I like to think that the goodness of my mom and all the many family members she brought into this world far trumps the evil that handful of madmen accomplished.

Mom -- or "Crazy G" as her grandchildren affectionately call her -- turns 84 years old today.

In 20 years of newspapering, I've had the luxury of meeting some really fascinating people, and yet after all these years, I've never met anyone as remarkable as my mother. She single-handedly has fashioned and shaped a gigantic family of wonderful and amazing people who have traveled many different paths in life, but yet all hold her core principle dear to their heart: Spread God's love wherever you go; the rest is immaterial.

I have no shame in saying she is the best of what humanity has to offer: ever humble, ever gracious, unconditionally loving, unselfish to the bone, hard-working, a loyal and fierce Christian soldier, witty, beautiful, soulful and charming. If only we were all half the person my mother is, there no longer would be suffering in this world.

I don't want to cause a fight and I really do know that your mom is great and all, but I truly believe that the Big Guy Upstairs broke the mold when he made our mother. She is quirky and funny and more wise about life than I will ever be. She's lived a life of hard work and toil and yet she has never let it change her heart of gold or her youthful charm or stout faith in God.

So, in those moments today that you contemplate the incomprehensible pure evil that happened on this day 19 years ago, just remember that also on this day 84 years ago, the most peaceful and loving woman you could ever possibly hope to meet was born. ... And I hope that the thought of our dear, sweet Crazy G will remind you that there is more than enough sheer goodwill and love in the world to overcome the darkness.

God bless you, my dear mother. ... I personally know no one who has touched more lives than you. You inspire me to be a better Christian, a better man, a better husband, a better father, a better brother, a better uncle, a friend and a better person every single day.

I can say unequivocally that I am the man I am today because of this special woman. Gracious and unselfish maybe to a fault, she has improved countless people's lives with a hand-written card, or a phone call or a smile at just the right moment. ... If I've ever encountered Christ on earth, I know he dwells in this woman.

Happy birthday Mom! ... May the Lord bless maybe the sweetest woman to ever grace the earth! Love you mom!