"If people were flowers I'd have the best one yet."
To my better half, to the woman who went through nine months of me being picky with my food and how you sleep, to my doppelganger, to my best friend - Happy Mother's Day!
Mom, Thank you for everything that you've done for me. You're the reason I turned into the woman I am today. Mom, I know that your life hasn't been easy. I know things would've been ten times simpler had you had me later in life after you had your life completely together. I'm so proud of how you raised me. I know I'm a handful sometimes (most of the time), but you deal with me. You love me unconditionally and that makes me so happy. Mom I know I'm a teenager and I am in that "I know everything" stage, but in all honesty it's all an act. Everything you tell me doesn't go in one ear and out the other. Mom I want you to know that you have such a big impact on my life. Your actions and your words influence me so much, Mom! I just wanted to take a second to recognize all that you've done for me.
Thank you for teaching me to ride a bike and then drive a car. When I was a kid I was terrified about riding a bicycle. I wasn't scared of the places being mobile would take me, but I was scared of the falling. I've always been scared of getting hurt. You pushed me though. You never gave up. You taught me how to ride, then you taught me how to drive. I wasn't the only one scared though. You were scared of me leaving. You were scared of how far being mobile might take me. Yet for some reason, you still pushed me.
Thank you for teaching me my math problems and pushing me to do my homework throughout school. First, you taught me how to deal with the problems of school and then, when things got difficult, you gave me words of encouragement then left me to the work I was being dealt. School was hard. It reminds me of how life treats me too. You taught me about the complications life will throw at me. Now Mom, I'm trying my best to deal with the work life is throwing at me.
Thank you for the pancakes and teaching me how to cook by myself. There was never a day that I didn't have some kind of food in front of me. Although I can not say the same about you. You would've taken your last dollar and bought me a bag of chips before you got yourself something. I feel bad because I know I made things so difficult, but I know that if I were to say something, your exact words would be, "I wouldn't change a thing because you brought me so much joy in life." So thank you for dropping everything you dreamed of so that you could raise me properly.
I have no idea how you manage working a full time job while raising my siblings and myself. How did you work all time, but still stay there to teach me to talk, walk and eat you out of house and home? I'll never understand the strength a mother has when it comes to her children, because it seems impossible that you've done all that you have.
Thank you for those late night talks about life lessons and the ones where I debate my outfits. Raising a teenager must be a hard act. Raising me must have been even harder because it's like raising yourself. Raising a child by yourself must have been the worst thing ever. You did it though, Mom. You are a superhero!
Thank you for holding me when I couldn't breathe and I just bawled from my first heartbreak...and my second...and you'll still have my back for the next one too. Being there for me when I've needed you the most is the second greatest gift I've ever received. Thank you for the greatest gift I've ever received.
I love you so much Momma. This Mother's Day, even though everyone is busy with their jobs, schooling, and bustling of life, I want to let you know that you're an amazing person. You're sweet, loving, and my VERY best friend. You're not only incredible, but you're perfect in my eyes. I can't express to you how much I love you. Thank you for trying your hardest with me. Thank you for raising me to be a woman you'd be proud of. Thank you for all those dollar bills for toys. Thank you for all those twenty dollar bills for my meals in college. Thank you for holding my hand when I needed it, but most importantly thank you for letting go so I could grow up!!
Sincerely,
Your (not so) baby-girl
