Mama,
I’m writing you this letter after spending a long night in the library. I’ve been thinking a lot about all of the support you’ve given me -- not just these past few months of freshmen year, but the past 19 years.
My first year of college has been so surreal. I love that I am being challenged to learn how to be independent here, but the flip side of this new freedom is being away from you. While this separation is in so many ways necessary as I get my education, I still miss you, need you and am so thankful for you, Mom.
Through every trial of growing up, you have never ceased to encourage me when I was lacking motivation, correct me when I was wrong or love me when I was flawed. You, Mom, have always been my support system. Even, after your and Dad’s divorce, I have never not felt you in my corner, cheering me on. Despite working a full-time job as a single parent, you have always made it a point to be both physically and emotional there: attending my tennis matches, bringing me pints of ice cream after hard days and sending care-packages and calling while I'm sick at school.
I know I cannot yet fathom or fully appreciate the difficulty of working full-time and raising two daughters alone, but you did it -- and not only did you just raise us, Mom, you taught us how to be good people and strong women.
There isn’t enough space to write down every lesson you’ve taught me these past 19 years, but this letter would be incomplete if I didn’t thank you for teaching me to treat all people with compassion. This is not always easy to do, but throughout my childhood you always led by example and showed kindness towards others. Be it talking around the dinner table about your warmth for your students or introducing me to the transformative service that is volunteer work, you have showed me that every individual, regardless of what they look like or background they come from, is worthy of my love and respect.
I am so grateful, Mom, that you also showed me how to be strong; strong enough to follow my passions, to embrace my individuality and to be always be proud of my drive. Your confidence in me has sparked my own in myself. From your support of the 5th grade pink hair phase and my mismatched sock phase (that isn’t quite done yet), you have always pushed me to be myself.
I know I give you trouble and that sometimes I worry you, but I promise you, Mom, that I am the daughter you raised and that I will always treasure the lessons you've taught me over the years. I am not a perfect daughter, but I am certain that so many of the great parts of myself, are there because of your love, attention and kindness. Truly, I am so lucky to have a mom like you.
Love,
Your grateful daughter.
