Mom,

I can already tell that you're smiling because of the picture I chose for this piece. I can recall that day as if it was yesterday and it makes me smile too. But just like the day when the picture was taken, I'm here to tell you the things that make you perfect, even when you might think otherwise.

I know, I know, Mother's Day was a few days ago, for many-- but I'm here to remind you that you don't need a special day to be celebrated.

It's been approximately 22 years, 4 months and 25 days since you said yes to the biggest challenge anyone can ever say yes to. Without thinking of what was to come or what people would think about you or perhaps the consequences that would follow up in the family, you said yes to being a Mother. You disregarded how old you were at the time and confronted anyone who would ever come near you to try and hurt me. You've defended me with pride and cared for me in ways that no one else will

"Congratulations mom, you've outdone yourself."

You might have done things incorrectly in the past. You might have taken risks and given up opportunities that you never even saw coming. But who am I to judge when all those things that you tell yourself that "could have been done differently" made you the most wonderful mother anyone can ever ask for. You've fought battles that even though you knew you'd lose, you stayed strong and you kept on going just to prove to me that once in, till the end it should be.

You've given up things you never saw yourself without. You've gotten hurt and disappointed by the people you never thought possible-- You've outdone yourself because even after all you've gone through, God should I remind you that you became a hell of a mother. The best one out there. The strongest, most inspirational and supporting one too.

Thank you, mother, for teaching me how to give my first steps when I tried to balance myself. For teaching me how to get up after a landing on the floor and even for yelling at me when I was wrong. For teaching me that careless love is far more rewarded than any other love in life. That giving has a better feeling than just receiving. For setting yourself as an example even when you fail to realize so.

Thank you for your everyday efforts to be a better mother than you ever think you have been. For giving me life and for accepting me as your daughter and bringing me into this world. Thank you for choosing YES, whenever you had to make a decision that would benefit me instead of putting yourself first. You taught me that in life I have to be anything but selfish because it can help the world become a better place.

I was only able to see and touch your beautiful and age evident face 22 years, 4 months and approximately 25 days ago, but it's the only one I'll ever see and touch with so much love- because you deserve to. Your love and support have been so unconditional that all I can ever do today, on Mother's Day, is thank you for ever doing so much for me and our family. We recognize your efforts to making our family happy, but we've forgotten to thank you for it.

But today I'm taking the time I failed to take in the past to say thank you and write them down for you because if you ever go a day feeling unappreciated, I'd like you to come back to this and remind yourself that you are exceptional and far from an ordinary mother.

For being my mother, thank you.

"Tú, a quien llamo Mamá."

By: Silvia Sánchez.

Tú, mujer fuerte,

Que has sabido superar el dolor,

Y a sonreír, dándole a mi vida color.

Gracias por haber aprendido a limpiar mis lágrimas

y por criarme con tanto amor.

Por saber ser una Madre excepcional

Y por regalarnos ese amor puro e incondicional.

Quiero hoy darte las gracias y recordarte

Que es un honor, Mamá, poder llamarte.

Te Amo.