Happy Birthday, Mom
Celebrating Patti Eileen Bastian: A Legacy of Faith and Joy
Today marks the birthday of my incredible mom, Patti Eileen Bastian. Though cancer took her from us far too soon, (1996, age 53) her impact on my life and countless others remains immeasurable. She was not only my mom but also my first mentor and the reason I dedicated my life to children’s ministry. Her unwavering belief in my potential and her passion for making faith fun and engaging have become the foundation of my life’s work.
As a young boy, I once told my mom that I wanted to be a children’s evangelist “when I grew up.” Without hesitation, she replied, “Why wait until you grow up? You can start this week!” True to her word, she helped me write my first lesson and encouraged me to turn my magic tricks into object lessons. Next, she found a puppet at a thrift store, gave it to me and suggested I use it to do announcements at our weekly kids’ club. “Harry Jinkle, my first puppet, became the first of many, sparking a love for creativity that still drives me today.
Mom was a master of seeing potential where others saw only a hyperactive boy. She saw creative energy waiting to be harnessed for good. She cast me in roles in the Christmas plays she wrote and directed, always ensuring I had an outlet to express my creativity. “Look out world,” she would often whisper in my ear, instilling in me a confidence that I was destined to do great things for God.
She taught me that no Sunday should ever be boring. Dressing up wasn’t just for fun—it was a way to capture kids’ hearts and imaginations. She believed church should be the “funnest” day of the week and that kids deserved engaging, memorable experiences that taught them about Jesus.
My mother’s philosophy was simple yet profound: never teach empty-handed. She knew that holding a child’s attention was key to planting seeds of faith, and she poured her creativity into making every moment count. From her “Super Sundays” to her “Mystery Box” she always had surprises ready for the kids. Most importantly, she believed that kids’ ministry wasn’t just child care; it was the heartbeat of the church.
Even now, when I’m brainstorming ideas for my ministry, I find myself asking, “What would Mom do?”
Her influence is woven into everything I do, from writing object lessons to planning events that make kids feel seen, valued, and loved. My own ministry is her legacy living on, and every Sunday, I strive to honor her by making church a place where kids encounter the love of Jesus in unforgettable ways.
Happy Birthday, Mom. Thank you for believing in me, for starting me on this journey while I was still a kid, and for teaching me that ministry to children is the greatest calling of all. My gift to you is continuing your legacy, bringing joy and faith to children every week. Your love and creativity live on through me, and because of you, I’ll always be a Big Kid at heart.
Missing You Today,
Your Son, Karl
A Poem for My Mom
For Patti Eileen Bastian, My Mom
You saw a spark in a restless boy,
A bundle of energy, a source of joy.
While others saw chaos, you saw dreams,
A creative heart bursting at the seams.
“Why wait?” you said, “Start this week!”
With love, you guided the path I’d seek.
A puppet, a lesson, a thrift-store find,
You nurtured my heart, my soul, my mind.
You taught me Sundays should never be bland,
With costumes and lessons crafted by hand.
Church was a place where laughter rang,
Where kids’ hearts soared, and joy took wing.
“Look out world,” you’d say with pride,
Instilling a courage that never died.
When I doubted, you stood so tall,
Believing God’s plan was worth it all.
Though cancer claimed you on Christmas Day,
Your love and legacy never went away.
In every lesson, in every smile,
Your spirit lives on, mile by mile.
So here’s to you, Mom, on your special day,
Your Big Kid’s tribute, in his own way.
Happy Birthday—your life shines through,
In every child who learns of God, thanks to you.
By Karl Bastian
Special Update:
After posting this on Facebook, I got this comment:
Jeffrey’s DAD, is Jerry Hinkle. The puppet mentioned ABOVE, Harry Jinkle, was named after Jeffrey’s dad. My dad suggested we take the leader of kids club, Awana, and swap the first letters to name my new puppet!
And, just for fun, Jeffrey mentions my mom dressed as a pirate for one of her fun VBS’s. Well here she is, I have a picture of her from another blog post:
Pirate Patti
I love this comment from Jeffrey, because he confirmed everything I said about my mom as a child who was in her ministry – the long lasting impact of her creativity and love for the kids. Thanks, Jeffrey for making her birthday so special today!
