Dear Mom,
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, everyone seems to be worried about what to buy for their moms. While I, too, am stuck pondering that question, I also couldn’t help but realize everything you do for me, which led to the realization that I probably don’t thank you as much as I should. As much as I know you appreciate all the gifts we give you, you’d probably appreciate recognition for everything you do just as much as any other gift. So here’s to you, Mom!
Thank you for holding me for nine months, for putting yourself through excruciating pain to give birth to me, and for every minute after that, when you’ve put my needs before yours. You always say that I wouldn’t understand just how important my needs are to you because it’s a motherly instinct and it’s difficult to understand unless you are a mother, and you’re right. My whole life, I’ve only been responsible for myself, and I can barely handle that. But you, you’re responsible for me. You’re responsible for making sure I am happy and healthy and don't have a care in the world. And as hard as that was when I was living at home and I reached my pubescent, rebellious, attitudinal stage, I know it only got a million times harder when I went off to college. Now you’re not in charge of feeding me, and you’re not there to tell me to wear warm shoes when it's cold and raining, and you’re not there to make sure I’m emotionally okay. All you know now is what I tell you, and I know that worries you, but I just want to reassure you that you’ve raised me well. I know to put my boots on before I go out in the rain. I know to eat at least twice a day (and to eat at least something small in the morning before class so that I perform my best) and I know that when I’m down, I can count on you to make it better.
I know watching me grow up isn’t easy and you’re going to worry about me every day for the rest of my life; it doesn’t matter if I’m two or 52. I know moving me into college and accepting the fact that I am dating now and that I am out on my own somewhere in the world is hard for you. I know it feels as if I’m not a baby anymore and as much as it is a sweet feeling, I know it's also bitter. So I just want to remind you that no matter what, I’ll be your little girl and I will always need you. And even if I am 100 miles away or 1,000 miles away, I’ll always come back home to tell you about all the new and exciting things I find in life. You will always be my first best friend and my favorite woman. You’ve shown me what true sacrifice is and what hard work really is. You’ve given me the best example to follow in life. You’ve shown me unconditional, pure love, and I love you just as much. Thank you for my life and everything in it that came because of you. I truly appreciate it.
Love,
Your little girl
