A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.
— Cardinal Mermillod

Dear Mom,

You know, as I thought about what I wanted to say and about everything we've been through, I started to tear up a little bit. Actually a lot.

First, I want to start by saying thank you. Thank you for all the memories you've given me and my siblings, for the moments of laughter and also for the moments of disappointment and anger. You've helped me so much. I'm the woman I am today because of you. Thank you for loving me, for giving me what no other person could in the world. For the shoulder to cry on, the hand to hold, and the back that will carry me when I'm too weak to carry myself.

I know when you read this you'll probably cry too but then think that you couldn't have possibly done all that much, especially when you were going through your own hardships and ended up tuning us out. But mom, that's one of the things that has helped me become a better person. It's taught me that everyone in life have moments where the outside world becomes a bit obsolete compared to what they're feeling at the time. It's taught me to listen to other's problems when they come to me, to offer my shoulder when they need it and how to carry someone when they can't stand. You've taught me that I have to be aware of everyone's feelings, not just my own, because if you do that it can hurt so many people.

Second, thank you for giving up basically everything in your life to give me and my siblings all that you could. You've tried and worked so hard for the past eighteen plus years, and I'm here to tell you that it is all paying off. You're reaching your goals, mama, and I'm so proud of you!

That's another thing you taught me, you know. You taught me to capture my dreams and goals. To hold them tightly until I've accomplished them and made them a complete part of me. You've inspired me to be honest, trustworthy, respectable, responsible and confident. I'm sure without you telling me that I looked 'beautiful,' I would not be nearly as confident as I am. You helped me find my voice to speak out about the things that drive me, to give my opinions but also how to respect the opinions of others. You've taught me so much more about life and how to live than I anybody else in my lifetime will be able to.

Lastly, I want you to know that you're my motivation. I know you've seen the scars, and I know that you hate that I ever felt the need to make them. But you're one of my main reasons for carrying on, for continuing my education to become a better person and to get a job that I love. You're my motivation to do well in my classes, to draw the best that I've ever drawn and to write the best stories that have ever been written. You're my hero amongst the troublesome Titans trying to take over the world.

But mom, I want you to keep growing, to keep going for your own dreams. I want to see you bloom even brighter, to see that smile of yours everyday. I know that life sometimes seems too rough, too hard and full of obstacles to obtain our goals, but I know that we can make it. With all of us side-by-side, hand-in-hand, helping each other, carrying each other when needed, that we all will make it to our end goal. Thank you for teaching me that if we just stay together, we'll make it through whatever obstacles are in our way.

Even after saying everything that I have, I still feel like I'm falling short in words that I want to express but can't even begin to imagine how to say them. It's more than a thank you or an 'I love you'. It's my deepest gratitude, my deepest thoughts, and a well of love that can't be described with words and sometimes not even with actions. But I know that if I can make you proud and see that smile on your face everyday for the rest of the time I have with you, that everything will be perfect.

Thank you for being my superwoman,
Your Daughter