Dear Mom,
Thank you for disciplining me the right way as a child. Thank you for not letting my terrible two's continue on to be my terrible teens. You were never afraid to remind me that no matter how much you loved me, you were and always would be the alpha. Unlike many of the parents of millennials nowadays, it was always clear that you were the one who was running the production. It was no secret to anyone who knew me that I was far from an angel child. From all the messes and destruction to all the screaming and tantrums, I definitely would have spanked me too. And despite what some people preach nowadays about "the dangers of hitting your child," I want to say thank you for smacking me once in a while.
You did not let me become the child we all see once in a while at the checkout line at Safeway. You know the kind I'm referring to—the little boy or girl who dictates and manipulates his or her parents' orders and rules. Because of all your hard work and dedication to correcting my destructive behaviors, I never turned out to be the impulsive bratty child who got what they wanted through simply screaming and whining. You taught me to be vocal and to utilize the words I was more than capable of using. You taught me right from wrong, and the importance of self-control and making good decisions. You taught me that in the real world, there are rules and consequences and that sometimes consequences come with painful repercussions. Because of you, I am respectful and responsible, and I do not act out of instinct.
The fact that you took the time and effort to discipline me and explain to me right from wrong, I don't spend my days causing mischief and getting myself into trouble. I am motivated and respect my authoritative figures and my ambitions most certainly outweigh my shortcomings. It hasn't been an easy journey, to say the least, but definitely one from which I have benefited. It took me a while, but I now understand that our exhausting arguments and clashing of stubbornness was not in vain. Because of you, I am happy with the person I have become and the mature, adult relationship, you and I have formed.
Thank you, mom, for setting your standards high for me only because you knew I could reach them. Thank you for reminding me that in this world, there is no one else who loves me as much as you, but also no one else I should fear more than you—no matter how old I am! But most of all, thank you for never being afraid to be my friend second, and my parent first.
