March 28 marks a very special day for me on the annual calendar. On this date 58 years ago, Hazel A. Smith 
was born to a coal mining family in West Virginia. She became the 14th (the baby girl) of 15 children that would be born to William and Sallie Smith.
About 18 years after her birth, Hazel decided to attend West Virginia State College (now known as a university). While attending college, she met a charismatic man named S. Benjamin Patterson. On March 28, 1970, they decided to exchange vows.
After spending some quality time together as husband and wife, January 13, 1972 crosses the calendar. About 11:17am on that day, David Anthony Patterson was born.
By now, you should know that Hazel (Smith) Patterson is my mother.
TODAY IS HER BIRTHDAY!
About two years ago, my mother shared something with me that has had a profound impact on my life.
‘David...I don't care how many houses you sell or how much money you make....Just be a decent person!'
Momma....I'll do my best! It isn't easy. But, you didn't raise a quitter! Hopefully, you are as proud of me as I of you!
I love ya momma! Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to your mom... her attitude is inspiring to all of us...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, MOM!!!!
That's great advice from Momma! Happy happy birthday to a beautiful lady.
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Hazel..... (It's a good thing you can't hear me singin'!)
Beautifully said David.
Well, what can I say about my auntie, Mrs. Hazel A. Patterson? She has been apart of my life for as long as i can remember, because she has been there since i was a baby. So this day I say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Aunt and I thnak her for being apart of my life, whether it was when she chastised me because i had done something wrong or because me and Tiff were doing something we weren't suppose to or just wouldn't go to sleep. I thank her for always encouraging me whether it was during the rough times in my life or when she just thought i needed some enocuragement but no matter the case i thank her for it all. Over the past few years, i have learned the meaning of truly being a family. Being a family doesn't mean that you have to see each other all the time or talk often, being a family is about those special moments that you share that become memories which become apart of your history and I am glad that my aunt is part of my history. It's not the quantity of time spent together it's the quality of how you spend the time. My mother always says, "There are certain times in life when you know that there is no other place in the world you are suppose to be but with your family." I thank God that our family knows that and we are always together when it counts the most! SO AUNT HAZEL TO YOU I SAY I LOVE YOU, GOD BLESS YOU, & HAPPY BIRTHDAY from your nephew "The AIRMAN on the other side of the world!"
-Thanks David for sending me this!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT HAZEL!!!!
I'm still surprised that you are using the internet! :-) Well, it might be 58 years but you have definitely captured the secret to youth. I always look forward to your smile and our deep conversations...you make me think and rethink. But just know that you are truly loved this day and every day. See ya in August!
Your Nephew,
Chuck
I'm so glad we have gone high tech....with these young men we raised as sons....they have insisted we know this technology. Congratulations girl on your day....you deserve every blessing God has for you and more for all that you are to others. I thank God for you everyday because many years ago... he decided to give me a dear sister name Hazel Arlette and I love you dearly. We have shared a lot down through the years. We have some beautiful children.
As one song writer wrote: We've been through the storms and the rains.....but we made it....with God's help. We don't see or talk often ....but my heart talks to you everyday in my memories..... some times that's how I make it through a hard day...but when we do talk...we talk....we are long over due for a session....(Smile).You know where I am, you know my numbers and if you you need me....just call...you are my priority.....my sister.
I love you sister dear....Have a great Birthday.
David & Terry, thanks for sharing this with me.
Well...I'm finally submitting my post. I know you were wondering why you hadn't seen anything from your daughter yet. You know you've always taught us to think before we speak so I was thinking before I typed. I thought and I thought and ....... There are so many things I want to say; I'm sure of where to start, but here it goes.
First, I want to say THANK YOU for being an amazing mother, role model, and friend. Now, that I am a mother I can understand everything you made me do, even those things I felt were unfair or too strict. Your guidance made me the person I am. It also showed me how to be a mother to my own children. I think I'm a becoming a good mother because you were/are a great role model. So, I'm thankful and Amaya Jade is too. J Now that I'm all "grown-up", you are my friend, really my best friend. We can talk like girlfriends do in one sentence and in the next you can be giving me mom's words of advice (solicited or not). I truly treasure the relationship we have.
Secondly, I want to say I LOVE YOU very much. Although we don't say it often, I know without a shadow of a doubt, you and I share a special love that is unconditional and undying. So today and every day, know that I love you.
Finally, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! You are looking good, Momma, fifty-eight (58) and gorgeous, inside and out. I'm looking forward to our weekend mini celebration.
Now, I can shut up. Have a wonderful birthday.
Happy Birthday Aunt Hazel! Wow, that sounds so formal because I rarely use the "Aunt" title when we speak. I hope you know how much I love and admire you. The older I get the more I realize how blessed I am to have such a loving family. I have noticed that you always take the time during family functions to talk to everyone and find out what is going on in their lives. You also somehow manage to remember some information from our last conversation, even if it took place months ago. That is a very special gift. Enjoy your day, I know my cousins have something special planned.
My mother also wants me to wish her little sister a Very Happy Birthday!!
Happy Birthday Aunt Hazel!!
The Lord has given me many blessings in this life and you are definitely one of them. Thank you so much for all of the encouragement that you have given me through the years. It's funny how I look at my aunts and see them as ageless. Maybe it's because you just keep getting better and better with every year.
Just know that I love and respect you very much and am very glad that you are a part of my life.
Love, Sandy
A Happy Happy Birthday to Hazel! You must be a wonderful mother to have raised such a thoughtful son. I wish you all the best. My father's family were coal miners named Smith from western Pennsylvania. From one Smith with coal dust in the past to another enjoy your day.
Congratulations Paddy <Smith> Pizappi
Happy Birthday momma Patterson! David, you are such a sweet son to recognize your mom on her special day. I hope this day is a blessed day for your entire family.
Best Wishes,
Charity Lane
May God bless you on your birthday! Thank you for being a wonderful English teacher and role model for your children and students. I remember you as one of those GREAT teachers that made learning fun!!
Teachers like you made people like me want to teach! :-) I've been teaching for 6 1/2 years and have enjoyed every minute! Have a wonderful birthday! Your family has been blessed! You're a beautiful lady!
Rebecca Sutphin Odum
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAZEL!!
I hope you are having a great day!!
David, what a great ThemThem to mom, and Happy Birthday to her. I'd have to say she did a wonderful job and raising such a fine man as yourself.
Thanks for sharing,
Duane
Dear Mrs. Patterson,
Do you remember the class you had working on the word "rhythm" for about a month? Well, I would like to say I didn't need to spell check before I wrote my note, but I don't use the word very often. I have a little boy with a lot of rhythm (2 1/2 years old). As you persevered with our class, I had a life lesson taught to me which I use daily as a mother, wife & woman.
Thank you for modeling character, when it would have been much easier to just have moved on to the next lesson. May God bless you abundantly as you have poured your life into so many others.
Happy Belated Birthday!
Jenn (Sutphin) Dowden--8th grade English 1988-89
Happy belated birthday, David Patterson's Momma!! You raised a very nice son...that must mean you're a very nice lady.
I hope you enjoy 57 more wonderful years!!
Hey Moses:
Thanks for all your wisdom and advice. You are someone very, very special and don't you forget it.God loves you and so do I.
David, I think you have done your mother proud!
Congratulations to both of you! Happy Birthday!!
Happy Birthday! You were always one of our favorites!
Susan
Please excuse my tardiness in responding to such a memorable outpouring of love, appreciation and genuine sentiment.
Any day one can wake up and know that another member of the "family of man" is thinking of her/him is a GOOD DAY.
The kindness and well-wishes expressed by old /new acquaintances and relatives who reached out and touched me in this very unique way will not be forgotten.
Thank you. The world would really be a much better place in which to live, laugh and be happy if more people were like you.
"LIVE LONG AND PROSPER".
Respectfully,
Hazel P.
David,
Another belated "Happy Birthday" to your Mother. She sounds like a wonderful woman. You are blessed to have her as your Mother, I can tell you know that by the sound of your words.