A few weeks ago I sat on your vanity bench and we talked about where my name came from. You told me it was after your sister and your mother. You always talked about how you wanted a baby of your own. You and dad got some very bad news one day and it broke your heart. You got a very special phone call one night. You and dad rushed to K-Mart to get everything all ready and drove three hours to meet me. I was a baby without a name, but I was your daughter. You smiled as you held me. At that moment, you were my mom.
Being away from you these years in college has not been the best. I'm so thankful you're only a phone call away because literally how would I know my crockpot won't explode because I put a little wine in it to enhance my boring chicken? How would I know that my makeup was not blended right if I didn't send you a selfie first? How would I know that I was going to be OK when everything is falling apart if you didn't give me your usual pep talk?
I know it was hard on you when we lost grandma (well, we called her Gran-Gran). I can't imagine what life is going to be like without you someday. I don't even want to fathom the idea. I need you, mom, even when I thought I didn't for so many years. Even when I thought I could handle it all on my own, I simply cannot. You taught me one very important lesson: to pray when I'm losing faith. You taught me to seek God's love when I was running low on my own love. You taught me to go for my dreams no matter the stakes at hand. You taught me to grow constantly and never stop. You taught me so much and still have so much more.
When I was in high school I went to prom with that stupid boy my freshman year who broke my heart, and you were there to pick up the pieces. When I started college and everything didn't go according to plan, you were there to tell me that no matter what decision I made it would be the right one. When I called and told you I was in an awful wreck, had totaled my car, and was currently sitting in an ambulance, you were there in minutes at my side and didn't leave me. You've never left me. You always were there. Now, that I am days away form graduating college, you will be there as well. I know you will clap super loud and smile so big at that little baby you once held walks that stage in pride. I know you will constantly continue to call me when I get places to make sure I'm OK. I know you will still, no matter how old I get, make my favor dishes when I come home. Home will always be home because it's where you are.
Simply thanking you for all you have done over the year is not even slightly measurable. You have changed the lives of so many people from so many places. You have traveled the world and seen places some only dream of. You are a woman of God and most importantly, you are my mom. I want you to know that no matter how old I get that I will always be that little baby you held and smiled at. I want you to know that you will always be my superhero when times are dark. I want you to know that you are one awesome woman and most importantly, you are my mom. "No matter how old I may be, you're little baby I'll always be."
Thanks mom for being my mom.
