To me, and I'm sure many others, no one is quite as special to me as my mother. Not only has she been there since day one, she has always been an unconditional source of love, especially in times when I needed it the most.
Yes, she is my mother, but she doubles as my best friend. Whenever we "fight," we end up laughing five minutes later, and when I make fun of her, I know she'll tell me that I'm just like her, so I'm basically making fun of myself.
Moms sacrifice so much for their children who oftentimes don't even realize it. Us children take things for granted, and while our mothers don't really seem to mind, at the end of the day, they want to hear that you love and appreciate them and all that they do.
So, here are 50 things I (and many other people) should have thanked my mother for but never did. Thank you for:
1. Carrying me in your tummy for nine months...
2. ...And on your hip for the next however many years.
3. Helping me not fall when taking my first steps.
4. Changing my diapers.
5. Dealing with my crying and tantrums.
6. Dressing me before I could dress myself.
7. Tying my shoes.
8. Teaching me to speak, even though you'd be telling me to be quiet for the rest of my life.
9. Letting me tell my stories where I didn't have a real point.
10. Buying me candy at the grocery store check out line.
11. Letting me join all of the activities I wanted.
12. Cleaning up when my friends and I made a mess.
13. Going out of your way to get a last minute Christmas gift I put on my wishlist.
14. Kissing my boo-boos.
15. Walking me to the bus stop or driving me to school each day.
16. Letting me eat whatever I wanted.
17. Answering the millions of questions I asked.
18. Buying me books above my grade level.
19. Cooking dinner every day, even after a long day of work.
20. A lifetime of haircuts.
21. Packing thousands of lunches.
22. Making sure I had clean clothes.
23. Teaching me manners.
24. Helping with my homework (when you could).
25. Tucking me in at night.
26. Checking in with me when I'm out with friends.
27. Making me deal with years of awful braces.
28. Dying my hair even when you disagreed with the color.
29. Forcing me to go to therapy when that was the last thing I wanted to do.
30. Laying with me when I couldn't sleep.
31. Making me wear a jacket when it was cold.
32. Telling me "good job" even when I sucked.
33. Putting up with me (and my excruciating sarcasm).
34. Inspiring me (every day).
35. Being strong in the tough times.
36. Hugging me when I cry.
37. Allowing me to make mistakes.
38. Supporting me.
39. Giving me advice.
40. Taking care of me every single day.
41. Teaching me honesty.
42. Motivating me.
43. Never giving up on me.
44. Being protective.
45. Never pressuring me.
46. The time you have given me.
47. Doing your best to make me happy.
48. For being you.
49. For the sacrifices that you have made.
50. Most importantly, for loving me endlessly.