Well, here we are........the big one nine. There is a lot that I would like to tell you, however the thing that I believe I haven't said enough is simply just thank you. From the moment that I was born, you were sacrificing everything for me and my siblings. As I grew up, I took advantage of all you had given to me. How could I have known of all the hardships you endured? What I did know is that I admired you and all your strength. You never failed each day to teach me about what the world will be like and how I should prepare myself for it, and for that I am grateful, more than you probably even realize.

Then I saw that physical strength in you fall away as you got more sick. I saw the strong, hardworking mother I grew up knowing having to take weeks off work at a time, and that broke me. What I never realized is that no matter how physically weak you became, the fire that made your spirit strong never wavered. I still remember the day you told me about your diagnosis, and I can honestly say that if I could go back in history and change one day, it would be that day. Not because of what you had to tell me, but because of the way I reacted to it. I apologize, Mom for acting selfish, both then and now. I apologize that it has taken me this long to realize the person that I was and have been to both you and our family. Even now, as I am about to enter into my second year of college, you never stop showing me what unselfish love truly is, for that and for all the extremely difficult lessons I have had to learn from you, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for standing by me, even when I was horrible to be around. Thank you for allowing me to make my own decisions and for not rubbing it in my face when those decisions completely backfired on me. Thank you for never giving up on me, even when it seemed like I gave up on you. Most of all, thank you for showing me the great love only a mother can have for their child. I still have a long way to go in life, but I thank you for the 19 year journey you have played a huge part in.

While I have enjoyed walking behind you all these past few years, I know that it is time that I start walking alongside you, carrying your burdens and listening to your stories just as you have done so for me time and time again. I am more than confident that you will continue to stand beside me or even stand in front of me when life knocks me down, I take comfort in that, and I once again thank you. Know of how wonderful it has been to be your daughter, I wouldn't have it any other way. On this, the eve of my birthday, as I reflect on the 19 years I have had on this Earth, I just want to thank you, Mom, for being my Mom. I love you.