Dear Amy,

I know I am an awfully ornery child who wakes up at odd hours of the night to put an ice cube on the floor in order to leave you wondering why the hell the floor is wet in the middle of the kitchen and who also never shuts the shower curtain and has a terrible habit of cleaning up messes with your hand towels.

I know I am not the easiest person to live with and that I growl and hiss every time you try to wake me up in the morning.

I know I am stubborn and have an unbreakable will that I got from my father.

I know I am not your child and not your responsibility.

But that has never stopped you.

You have cared about me. You have loved me. You have done everything in your power to give me everything from clothes to opportunities. You were at every softball game, band concert, fundraiser, tournament, and other important events in my life for the past eight years. You have supported me and cheered me on every second of those eight years, despite my terrible temperament and snide comments.

And somehow I have forgotten to thank you.

I know we drive each other crazy, but what mother-daughter duo doesn’t?

I got out of the shower the other day and I closed the curtain, and I missed you.

My stupid alarm buzzed in my ear the other day, and I missed you waking me.

My only hand towel is stained, and I know that if I hadn’t used it to wipe up the floor, it would still be spotless.

I am so stubborn and I spend so much of my life pretending not care, but I do.

I was so awful to you, but you continued to love me.

And that was how I figured out what a mother’s unconditional love was. From you.

All those years of listening to people say that one day I was going to thank my mom for everything, and I was like, “No way. I’m always right.”

You sure showed me. You were right, Mom. And I can’t thank you enough for everything that you have given me. And I can’t tell you how much I appreciate having you in my life.

But thank you.

I love you, Mom/Amy.

-Gecko/Lizzybeth