Ma
If you know Andrea Wilder, you know it is no exaggeration to say she’s the greatest of all time. In a time, like all times, where time ages most and restricts almost all, it does not with her. Time is her friend. I’d say that’s the case with most people with energy, but she has an inconceivable amount. God has given her 55 years, 20,075 days, 481,800 hours, 28,910,000 minutes and she’s maximized every second. She glides through life as if the universe rests on her side. It doesn’t, but God does. She’s His. She’s effortless. She’s timeless. She’s classic.
In the time that I’ve known her, she’s transformed from mom to best friend. From crazy lady to super woman. From know-it-all to actually knows-it-all. In the time that she’s known me, I’ve gone from begging and pleading wanting to be far far away to calling every day, 3, 8, 26 times a day because I learned that there’s no comfort like a loving mother’s voice. From screaming about my perceived independence to having it for real and wanting to return it to its sender, but she told me to enjoy my youth. From daughter to mother.
Not for everyone does time equate to progression. But, she has mastered progress. At work, in church and most importantly, through family. An almost 29 year marriage, two matriculated children - one married with child - both who do everything they put their mind to - one without reservation and limitless determination (I’m not that one), executive pastor, assistant regional commissioner for management operations and support, and we never missed a meal and I mean home cooked at the table with a hearty side of discussion. Stagnation is her enemy and that mindset trickles into her veins; she moves. Constantly, in the direction of her “Well done.” Effortless.
She’s mother to all my friends. Baddie to all my guy friends. Power to my high school friends. Ma to those from college. They’re used to her chicken, her dip, her mac and cheese, creating a welcoming place to hang out, watch a movie, sit in the back, talk at the table. Or, as Phylicia knows best, placing a McDonald’s order on a Sunday morning, if you spent the night, cause you gotta eat before church and you’re GOING to church.
You’re GOING to do what she asks you to do NOW, cause she’s not really asking. She’s definitely telling. And she’s telling you from experience. She’s from a different generation, and by generation I mean world. A world where items on checklists are checked off, where necessary items are purchased long before they’re necessary, where phone calls are returned and happy birthdays are given out on a persons birthday. She gets it all done as if time doesn’t exist. It’s as if she lives in a world where our 24 hours is actually 54 for her. Timeless.
There are little things about you that I’m glad I can know and I can say because I’m yours. You’re Honor’s third favorite person, even though you would say you’re his first. You’re as kind as you are funny. You give ABUNDANTLY more than you should. You have patience that matches wisdom and vitality that's only attained by God-given strength. You can look like a million bucks having spent $34.95 on an entire outfit. You have Cheyenne’s courage and fire and Dominique’s intuitiveness and suave. Although the legacy you’ve already established is more than enough, there will be a book written. When your book is written, I’ll be behind the pen and I’ll be sure it’s a classic. Because you’re classic.
Happy Birthday Ma! 55 will be better to you than all of your best years. I love you 3000.
