For so many years people have been coming up with ways to thank their parents. There’s Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Parent’s Day, Grandparent’s Day; the list goes on. We give flowers, cards, dinners, breakfast in bed and presents to show how much we appreciate them.
But as we so often say, how can one day fit all the appreciation we have?
Dear Mom,
Thank you for protecting me. From day one, you were caring for me, eating healthy, and staying active so I would be a healthy baby. As I grew up, you protected me from the catty girls in my class, reminding me that what they say doesn’t matter. I was the one in charge of what stuck in my mind and what didn’t. When I started dating, you protected me from the stupid boys, helping me see the difference between the boys who liked me for me, and the ones who were just smooth talkers. More importantly, thank you for protecting me from myself. All the days I thought I couldn’t, you reminded me I could.
Thank you for caring. I think you wrote the book on caring. I have never met someone who has a bigger heart than you. Not only do you care so much for your children and family, you care for others. Thank you for teaching me that each person is important. You make me want to be a better person, and inspire me every day to do that. All of the random acts of kindness you do mean more than you can ever know. Thank for you for the notes you left under my pillow, the treats you would leave in my room, and the “just because” hugs. Thank you for sacrificing your time, sleep, and sometimes your own well being to make sure I was okay. Thank you for all the nights you stayed up with me when I was sick to make sure I was okay. For all the times you stayed up late worrying about me, thank you.
Thank you for showing me happiness and love. You’re the person I laugh the hardest with and love the most. I will always cherish those nights we stayed up way too late just talking about anything and everything, and those same nights we realized we were much too tired when would laugh until we cried for no reason at all. The way you and dad love each other showed me what true love looks like.
Thank you for being my biggest fan. No matter what activity I was in, I could always count on you to be there. You cheered me on when I thought I wanted to play soccer and were at every game. You listened to me muddle through songs as I learned to play them on the piano and made sure you were at every recital. You used some superhero powers to not only attend mine, but two other kids’ multitude of sport games, whether it be a swim meet, volleyball game, track meet, or basketball game. Thank you for supporting me in speech, encouraging me all the times I thought it was too much, letting me vent when the stress started getting to me, and coming to the crazy early morning rounds and giving up your weekends, too. Your support means so much to me.
I will never be able to truly express how much you mean to me. There's so much more that I will never be able to thank you for. You taught me how to be a strong woman, a caring friend, and a happy person. I'm incredibly blessed to be your daughter. Thank you for being my most trusted friend, my best advisor, and most importantly; thank you for being my mom.
