You didn’t have the normal life; graduate 8^th grade, go off to high school, then graduate and go to college, meet a guy, fall in love, and start a family. Instead, your family started in high school. There was no graduating and college. No perfect guy. You had your first kid when you were still one yourself. That’s one of the biggest challenges you encountered that caused you to start the life everyone leads 20 years later.

You then met my father and got pregnant with me. That postponed whatever opportunity you may have had to pick back up the lasso and get back on the horse. However, you did it anyway. You still had me. Rather than trying to take the life that others deemed right, you choose me; you got on a different horse.

I know it was never easy for you. While you may have come and gone in your first two children’s lives, you came around when things were right. Yeah, there were bumps in the road and during those tough times you weren’t as present and even though that hurt at times, I knew there was part of you with me and that you were trying to do what was best for you which ultimately would be best for your children. Then came my half brother.

Seeing him be the motivator and the apple of your eye made me happy. To see you finally have that drive within you made me proud. Even though you may have had a couple bad seeds looting the garden which caused about a year set back total, you still did it.

So this one is for you. To the mom who did it all 20+ years later.

I am so proud of you. To see all those tough times you went through in life and to see you now, I am thrilled to see you finally be who you are. That you finally overcame all those things and people who were holding you back and get what you deserved.

I cannot believe how happy I am for you. How happy I am that you dropped that 200 pounds of weight and got your degree instead. That you persevered and pulled through when only a few of us knew you could.

So, this is the congratulations that you deserve. The thank you for showing me that no matter what life throws at you and no matter how tough things may get, that you can still find some way to push through it all and come out stronger.

“So mom. I am extremely sorry that I wasn’t able to get out of work and be there for your big day. I just wanted to let you know how proud I am of you. These past few years have had their ups and downs yet you never let that tear you away from school and chasing what you wanted. You persevered in way that I admire. I know it has been tough but you did it. You did it, mom, and I could not be more thrilled and happy for you. I know you’ll continue to be strong and I know you’ll find an amazing job and won’t stop till you do because that’s who you are. You’re someone who doesn’t stop. You don’t stop fighting. Don’t ever lose that. I am so proud of you. Smile big and proud, you deserve this.”

You waited 20+ years to start and finish your education. I can’t wait to see you prove to those who thought you couldn’t do it that it doesn’t matter when you get it done, that you can do amazing either way. I love you, mom. Keep your head up and keep moving forward. Be proud to look people in the eye and say, “I did it”.