Mom,

Today is the day that you were born however many years ago, that really isn’t important. What’s important to me is that that day happened. Although you came before me, I believe that I was put on this Earth to enjoy and live life fully with you. I love when you say you see you in me, but really, I see me in you. And to me, that is one of life’s most precious gifts.

You have given me so much more than I can put into words and on your birthday, I want to try to find those words. Mom, you are the most incredible human being. You have the ability to make me smile on my darkest days but you also have the ability to tell me “yes, you can do it” no matter what the circumstances are. I am in awe of your dedication and passion for life but I am in even more awe of the way you handle the challenges thrown your way.

Sometimes I don’t understand the way that life goes and I don’t understand why bad things happen to good people and I hope someday we can find that answer. What I do know is that you’ve shown me that even though life can be bad, it can always be worse.

You have given me my tough skin. Without you pushing me and supporting me as a kid, I would never have stood up for myself. I never would have learned what it means to let go of people that are no longer needed in my life. Unfortunately, we have both learned that people come and go often and sometimes way too easily, but we know that we always have each other.

I wish I could spend more time with you. I know I am getting older and soon I will be off on my own, but I promise that I will always return to the nest to visit you and Jerbear.

I just want you to know that I appreciate the love and the care that you have given me since I was born and I will never forget the things that you have taught me. There are certain things that really hit me in the face sometimes and I step back and say, my mom would want me to do this. So I do it. Or my mom would want me to take this opportunity, so I do it.

I love you so much Mom, I hope one day I can give you as much love as you have given me over these past twenty years. But more importantly, I want you to know how special this day is to me. I thank the heavens every day that you were born on August 27^th and that I was brought to you on July 1^st. I don’t think it was an accident. Happy birthday to the most beautiful and loving soul I know, mom.