I know I am not the only one who, when Mother’s Day comes around, you want to give your mom the world and tell her so many different things, but you just can't. Whether the bank account is running rather dry, or Hallmark is unable to put your gratitude into words, it always seems like there are so many ‘thank you's’ left unsaid, so much appreciation not showed. That you cannot quite sum up the words to your mom of all that you want to say, so here are a few things that a Mother’s Day card cannot thank my mom for, but that I can.
Thank you for teaching me how to be tough.
Whether it was the most minuscule scrape I thought would cause me to bleed out, or I was riding the bench for whatever team, to having to face some tough, real life situations, you have taught me to be bold and brave no matter what it is I am up against, to keep my head up and eyes forward, and not wavering for one moment.
Thank you for teaching me how to stand up for myself.
Being passive in times of friend drama or biting my tongue about something at school seemed to be the easier route, but you showed me that I have my own voice and that I need to do myself the favor and use it.
Thank you for teaching me to know my self-worth.
Growing up, I kind of thought thanks to movies and TV that girls developed this confident idea of themselves over night. But no, I needed to learn the value I hold myself and you showed me how to do this.
Thank you for showing me it's okay to be vulnerable.
Yes, being tough and strong is only a sliver of what it is to be a woman, but so is being vulnerable. That letting that guard down and opening up to myself or to someone can be exactly what the heart needs sometimes, along with a good cry, which is totally okay.
Thank you for showing me what real friendship is.
They say that your mother becomes your best friend as you grow up, and I totally agree with this. I think of you not only as my mother, but also my confidant, my best friend, my gossip buddy, and so many other things. You have also demonstrated through your own friendships that have lasted countless years what the real definition is.
Thank you for teaching me the value of family.
The worth your family holds has become so easily overlooked these days. But you are able to reel us all back in out from the contaminated and self-absorbed world and show us that it is family who is there at the end of the day, when our phones are dead and friends are gone. Family is such a vital thread, but is also so fragile and can be lost at any moment, and we need to cherish all the time we have together.
There is so much more that I want to thank my mother for, and these are only the tip of the ice burg. But I just want you to know Mom that I cannot thank you enough for everything you are to me as well as all you do for me. I hope to be half the woman you are.
