The Nativity of The Blessed Virgin Mary

Today the Church celebrates the birthday of our Blessed Mother. Now as one of her more difficult children, I do owe her some sort of very special birthday present. I haven't come up with anything fitting just yet. I am warning you ahead of time, this is not going to be a run of the mill feast day post.
My relationship with Mary has always been a struggle. I believe in everything the Church teaches about her, but I have never been able to muster up enough devotion to have one of those warm fuzzy relationships I hear other people talk about. I know faith and devotion are not about the warm fuzzies, but I have to admit that when it comes to Our Lady, this does bother me a bit. I mean really, what kind of daughter does this make me? You would think the least I could do would be to give her five decades each day; although at this rate she would probably be happy with one.
About a month ago, I stopped struggling and beating myself up about all this. I remembered something I read St. Therese of Liseux saying about her own devotion to Our Lady. She talked about how she had a very difficult time relating to Mary as a queen and this perfect woman. She needed to think more about Mary of Nazareth who led a normal day to day life. St. Therese knew and believed all that was taught about our Blessed Mother, but she needed to find a way to relate to her in her devotion to her. As I started to get very discouraged in my own devotion to Mary, I thought more about these words of St. Therese as well as something one of my confessors once told me. He told me to go to Mary not so much as a mother, but as a friend~just as I would go to a good woman friend. I have to say, this really changed my whole perspective.
Yes, I know that Mary was born sinless and remained that way. I know that she is Queen of Heaven and Earth, and I am so very glad she is all of this and more for us. However, at the end of the day, when I have had enough of all the world has thrown at me, I need someone I can relate to on a human level. It is then that I remember Mary of Nazareth.
Jesus gave us the gift of His Mother as He was dying on the cross. Just like St. John, we each in our own way need to take her into our homes and into our hearts. I think she and I are working on this, and like any good mother, she has more patience with me than I deserve from her.
Reading back on all I have just written, maybe I have found the perfect gift for her in these heartfelt thoughts. Oh and perhaps I can find a way to give her a Rosary as well.

Happy Birthday Blessed Mother! I do love you.