Mom,

Words can't even begin to express the feelings I have for you. I wake up every morning and remind myself that anything and everything is possible, because, from the time I was born, you taught me exactly that.

I learned to never give up before I learned to walk, and I learned to be confident before I could even form a sentence. You went from being the best caregiver any child could ever wish for to a superhero overnight.

All of a sudden, we were on our own, just me, you, and Nick (my brother), for all intents and purposes, we were a "broken family", except we weren't. Every soccer or lacrosse game, you were in the crowd - hell, half of the time you were coaching. Every PTA meeting, you helped to lead, volunteering what little "me time" you had to help our school, just because it was the "good mom" thing to do. Every parent luncheon, you were there, smiling and happy, trying to teach me that I was not less than because only one of my parents was an active and willing participant in my life. Every class play or ceremony you stood in the front of the auditorium, camera clicking away furiously, attempting to capture every moment.

Then one day life changed, instead of bandaging up scraped knees and bruised egos, you were attempting to hold together broken self esteems while soothing my self-hatred.

When my Dad left, I thought the world had ended. Surely, I thought, yours had. But you proved me wrong. You did it all: Sports, doctors appointments, house cleaning, grocery shopping, horseback riding, music lessons, youth group, birthday parties, working a full time job as an attorney, serving our country in the Army, and the list goes on and on. You taught me that life can fall apart, literally crumbling out from under your feet, and that you can still be okay. Because of you, I wake up every day knowing that I can do this. Whatever "this" is today, it will get done, because I'm your daughter, and because of that, I know that anything is possible.

I've watched you every day of my life, the good, the bad, and the ugly are all ingrained in my mind. But after twenty-one years of knowing you, I can say that the one emotion I feel overwhelmingly when I think of you is pride. Pride that you serve our country, with more ferocity and diligence than anyone I know. Pride that you are an unstoppable force of nature when you are on a mission. Pride that you raised two kids almost completely on your own without even once making us feel like we were burdening you. Pride that you are truly one of the most passionate people I have ever met. Pride that you were chosen out of a minute number of people to attend the US Army War College. Pride that you will ALWAYS choose what is right over what is convenient. Lastly, I can say that I feel proud that you give your absolute all to each and every thing you attempt, no matter how great or how small.

So thank you mom. For the nights you held me and wiped my tears; for the days we've spent shopping; for never believing me when 15 year old me told you I hated you; for the evenings spent walking the dogs together, baring our souls; and most of all, thank you for being you and for always believing in me. Even when I thought my life was over, you never doubted me, you believed that I could beat the odds, and because of that, here I am today, stronger for having known you, and better for having loved you.

You aren't perfect, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Sincerely,

One Thankful Daughter