Thanks for giving me life, mom.

Thanks for giving me life the day you gave birth to me and also, for every day since then. You brought me into this world and you continue to help me make the best of each day to come.

Thanks for adding constancy to my life, mom.

You are the stillness within my time-lapse. As new individuals enter my life and as old friends slip away from my reach, you are endlessly present. You fill the voids that others create and you sweep away the mess they leave. You offer me clarity in the face of obscurity.

Thanks for your selflessness, mom.

My happiness is a byproduct of every move you make. Thank you for limitlessly thinking of me, and for putting me before everything and everyone. Not a day goes by where I don't notice it. You shovel my hardships out of the way, allowing me to walk confidently each day. You hold an umbrella over my head, protecting me from the evils of this world.

Thank you for always knowing what to say, mom.

Thank you for telling me exactly what I need to hear. Even the cruelest of situations ease up from the angelic tone of your voice. Thank you for offering wisdom during times when every one else is stuck. Thank you for being my escape and for offering comfort when I am bereft of any at all.

Thanks for knowing when words won't help, mom.

As the decibels of your voice disappear, your touch begins to offer strength. Your hugs engulf me like the heat on a scorching summer day and like the smell of brisk air at the inception of winter. You allow me to feel when I can no longer speak or hear.

Thank you for your protection, mom.

Thank you for allowing me to feel safe in the most dangerous of times. It isn't the roof over my head that shields me from disasters, it is your person near mine. Your presence in the world, whether near or far at any specific moment, allows for the safety in my life. You are my hero.

Thank you for loving me unconditionally, mom.

Thank you for your support. Our ephemeral disharmonies sink under your unconditional love for me. There isn't a hurdle too high, a distance too far or a weight too heavy for our euphoric unity. You are the most important person in my life and with you, I could accomplish everything.