Mom, there are not enough words that can even begin to express my gratitude for all that you have done for me. Since before my journey on this earth even began, you have been my number one fan and my biggest supporter. So, thank you.

I am sure that I will never be able to grasp the love you have for me and the sacrifices you have made to show that love. You willingly gave up your whole heart and all of your time to parent me. And I have never once heard the sounds of regret in your voice when you talk about that. You taught me to read, you taught me selflessness, and you taught me what real, living faith looks like.

You dealt with me through the volatile years of middle school and gracefully handled me crying my way through the seventh grade. You supported anything I dreamed of, even if you thought it was completely unrealistic. You drove me to high school every morning of ninth and tenth grade so that I didn’t have to take that dreadful bus twice. You packed my school lunches every day until I graduated, just so that I wouldn’t eat chips for lunch. You drove me to job interviews and hugged me as I cried about having to move again. When I was states away, you answered the phone in the middle of the night when I needed to pour out my heart.

Not only did you teach me the practical aspects of life and how to get by, but also you showed me what fearless, love, and acceptance was. No matter who a person was or what they had done, you always showed them kindness and compassion. I don’t think that I have ever heard you yell, or ever seen you turn someone away. You aren’t afraid to give until it hurts. I sometimes think that you must be fearless, because you live the bravest life I have seen. You have never been overbearing or rude. As I was growing up, you always had a knack for knowing just when I needed my space to grow. There are so many things that you have taught me without saying a word and simply living it out.

Mom, you are my best friend. You are always in my corner and I know that no matter where I may be in this world, you are never more than a phone call away. I wouldn’t be nearly the person I am today without you and I hope that one day, I can be half the woman that you are.

I love you so much.