My mother walked into a room of 300 people who came specifically for her — and still managed to make every single one of them feel like the guest of honor. That's Andrea Wilder.

Hail Mary Full of Grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women. And blessed is the fruit of your womb... Mary, the mother of Jesus, goes by more than a few names.

She bore no children. Yet she raised generations and begot relationships. Aunt Sallie was my model for holiness, my symbol of wisdom, my blueprint for grace.

In the time I've known her, she's transformed from mom to best friend. From crazy lady to superwoman. From know-it-all to actually knows-it-all. Happy Birthday, Ma.