Dear Mom,

Thank you — Thank you for being so courageous and stepping foot in this country fourteen years ago to give your children a better future. Throughout the years when you have been fearful, alone and scared you have never demonstrated it. You have held my hand, wiped my tears and given me lessons that I will one day pass onto my children. When I first came to this country I was scared, I was five and did not know the language, but you would stay up until two am to help me finish my homework with a dictionary in your hand. As the years passed by, you kept showing your resilience by never missing any of my plays, rehearsals or dance lessons, even if that meant you wouldn't get paid as much for that day — you always have put your children first. Your continuous texts in the morning saying "Hija, I love you," "You can do this" keep on motivating me to try my hardest in school. You have been my number one fan, my supporter, the one who wipes my tears when I am heartbroken — and I am so thankful for that. You set foot on that plane so one day I could attend a university and get the life that would have been so hard to have in Colombia. Beyond leaving your home country, you have made this country our home. I could never repay you for what you have done. And yes I know that is what mothers do — everything they can for their children, but throughout these years you have never thought about yourself but instead whatever best benefits us. I love you, mom. I will forever try to repay you for all you have done for us.

Thank you for setting an admirable example and for being my inspiration.

Love,

Your daughter