There's an old saying that goes "A mother holds their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever." I actually painted this quote on a canvas for my mom a couple Christmases ago. Growing up, we often take our parents for granted. We don't understand why they are doing what they're doing and why they won't always let us have what we want. We don't understand it at the time but somewhere along the line when we start to grow up we begin to understand. Not only understand, but appreciate what our mom's have done for us.
1. Thank You For Raising Me Like A Lady
So often growing up I was surrounded by girls that wanted to act so much more mature than they were. Well not mature per say, more just fast for their age. When other girls in my grade were concentrated on impressing as many boys that they could get to look their way, my mom kept me focused on school and things that were truly important. So instead of throwing myself at boys in middle school, like so many other girls were doing, I kept involved with activities and academics. Even though at times it may have been easier to give in to fit in with everyone else, in the long run it was better to act like a lady and wait for respectful boys to come along.
2. Thank You For Always Giving It To Me Straight
I was never coddled growing up as the youngest sibling. If my older sister did something I didn't like or got something that I didn't, I would try the infamous line; "But that's not fair!" Thank you for replying with the line "Life's not fair, get used to it." While it may have hurt my feelings at the time, that little bit of tough love helped strengthen me as a person for the years to come. If I am in the wrong, you are the first one to let me know it. Even if I don't like hearing it at the time, it helps me stay down to earth and humble.
3. Thank You For Being My Biggest Fan
No matter what I am doing, my mom is always my biggest cheerleader. I can't think of a time my mom has missed a performance of mine and if she's had to, she makes sure someone is there. When I would cry over messing up my solo at contest, she was there with tissues. If I got in trouble at school over something silly or struggled on a test, she is always there with a joke or snarky remark to make me laugh and feel better.
4. Thank You For Helping Me Stay Strong
Anytime I was bullied growing up or things didn't go my way my mom was always the shoulder to cry on. While, like I said, my mom will tell me when I am in the wrong, she also will not stand for people purposefully causing me grief. As I like to say, don't make Mama Bear come out. But through all of this my mom also taught me to stand up for myself and get a thick skin against bullies because not everyone is going to like you in life, no matter how hard you try.
5. Thank You For Teaching Me To Speak My Mind
Although it may get me in to trouble sometimes. my mom has taught me to never hold my tongue if it comes to standing up for what I believe in. While some people not like this quality about me, it has definitely gotten me further in situations than staying silent would have. I know that overall being taught to do this will get me further in life because I won't willingly take a back burner to anyone. I just have to watch getting this mixed in with my temper (lol).
6. Thank You For Teaching Me To Be My Own Person
You always encouraged me to march to the beat of my own drum no matter what anyone else thought. Though this may have gotten me ridiculed by cruel middle school girls, I pushed past that and became who I am today. It helped me learn that even though you may not be someone's cup of tea, doesn't mean someone else doesn't think you're great. No one was meant to live life stamped from a cookie cutter so I am eternally grateful for being taught this lesson.
7. Thank You For Teaching Me To Love Myself
No matter anytime I doubted myself. Whether it be not getting a solo in the concert, the role I wanted in a show, a boy being jerk, or friends turning against me. You never let me stay down on myself for long. You reminded me that in the grand scheme of things none of this would matter in a year. I can't think of a more valuable trait than the ability to brush things off and because of you I (eventually) learned how to do this.
8. Thank You For Never Giving Up On Me
Growing up I switched my interests every three months. I tried every pee-wee sport our town offered with the exception of Football. I even think I would have tried that had Dad not morally opposed it. I tried ballet, horseback riding, karate, and cheer leading. Even though it seemed like I couldn't pick something to stick with you let me keep changing my mind until I fell in love with performing. Even now as I struggle to figure out what to do with my future, you are there to listen to my weekly (sometimes daily) meltdowns, all while reminding me you will support whatever decision(s) I make.
9. Thank You For Loving Me
Even though I can be the most difficult, stubborn person sometimes, you have never made me feel unloved. When I was certainly an unbearable smart mouthed teenager full of attitude you just let me misbehave and didn't snap at me for (most of) it. And even though I'm still as sassy as can be, your support and unconditional love growing up has tamed me and made me into a good person. I know how to show that love and support to people now who at the time probably don't deserve it.
10. Thank You For Being My Best Friend
On top of everything in this article, my mom is honestly my best friend. She never fails to crack me up, laugh at my jokes, listen to anything I have to say, and hang out with me on days that nothing is going right. She is the biggest source of sass, inspiration, and love in my life. There's a special bond formed between a mother and daughter. It's not something you can describe but something you always feel no matter what.
I love you Mom, thanks for everything and so much more.
