Dear Mom,
I know things have not been easy. Divorcing your husband when your baby girl was only 2 years old and losing your father who was your best friend 3 years later. I know losing your dad (my pop-pop) ended up being very difficult especially to explain to five-year-old me always asking where he was since we were close.
I know it didn't stop there. Dealing with the funeral and then immediately being thrown back into court over multiple custody battles (thankfully court always chose you) and dealing with all the family issues along the way. Then having to deal with all the surgeries I went through during the first three years of my life
It's been almost 20 years now. It's just you and me facing the world against the people trying to push us down. You have never turned your back on me, even when the rest of the family did because I decided to follow my dream of being a photographer. We both cut ties with most of our family, however we still have those who may not be biologically be family but in our hearts we say they are family. I know I may lose my temper at times with your mom (my grandmother) but I know you will be there to calm me down. You know when I just need to vent, whether it be school, stress over knowing I struggle with balancing school and taking care of family, or just aggravation venting.
Thankfully, you're always there and know when we just need an escape to shop (even if it is just window browsing), dance, or just on a drive to a random place and see where we land. I always enjoy car rides with you since when one of our songs comes on, we blare the radio station loud and start singing along (or trying to since one of us gets the words wrong and we start laughing) You always put my best interests at heart, even if I don't see it till much later.
I have heard many times "Being friends with a parent is so lame", however for me, my mom is my best friend. We have almost the same style of clothing, love the same music, and at times say the exact same things. I have caught myself saying many of her expressions in daily conversations.
So when people say "You are so your mother's daughter" I smile and say thanks since I'm proud of that.
Dear Mom,
Thanks for being you, even when everything around you turns upside down.
(collage of me and my mom through the years)