I’ve always been told I’m just like my mother, but it is only until now that I’m starting to realize how truly thankful I am to receive such a compliment. To be told I am like my mom is to mean I am strong, beautiful, intelligent, talented, thoughtful and to have the never-ending ability to care for others. I only hope I can be half the woman that she is.

Mom, this is for you, and for all of the things I forgot to thank you for along the way.

Thank you, Mom, for being my best friend and for showing me how to be a good friend to others. It was your patience that taught me how to be a good listener when someone needs it most. No matter what was going on between us, I could always count on you to give me some much needed advice and a hug that would fix everything. Even if I didn’t want to talk about it, you always had a way of making me feel better. A random shopping trip, lunch date or movie night with you never failed to make me smile again. You made it a point to show not only me, but everyone you’re close to, that you care so much about us. This is a lesson from you I try to apply to the people in my life everyday.

Thank you, Mom, for teaching me to believe in myself and in my dreams. You’re my number one fan, and I can always count on your support. Trying out for a team three times in a row and not making it was devastating, but you pushed me to work harder. You taught me to never give up. Finally seeing how proud you were when I finally got that letter of acceptance was when I truly started having faith in myself. Along with that, seeing how hard you work to be a great teacher is what inspired me to become a teacher myself and to have an influence on other’s lives like you do every day. You taught me to always lead and never follow. It is because of you I constantly challenge myself in life, and it has taken me on some amazing adventures.

Thank you, Mom, for being the world’s most silent superhero. I’m not sure how you accomplish so many things in fewer than 24 hours each day, but I sure do appreciate every single one of them. Whether it was an important deadline for school, a last minute trip for a specific color of poster board or washing my shirt that I need so it’s ready for the morning, you were on top of it. I can’t thank you enough for having it all together when I clearly didn’t. Dealing with four teenagers at once must not have been easy, but you made it look like so simple.

Thank you, Mom, for being an amazing role model. I sure got lucky having you to look up to as I grew up and continue to grow today. You showed me how to laugh and never stop laughing even when life hits hard. You showed me how to be strong and independent, loving and kind-hearted and beautiful on the inside and out. Out of all the moms in the world, I can’t believe how blessed I am to have one as hardworking and heartfelt as you. You deserve every amount of praise and acknowledgement, and know, that no matter what is going on, you are doing an astounding job.

Love,

Your favorite oldest daughter