Dear Mom,

With Mother's Day behind us, I don't want you to think that your being "queen for the day" has to come to an abrupt end. I want to start off by letting you know that all that you do and will continue to do for me is appreciated not only on Mother's Day, but every day. I know we often find ourselves side-tracked by all the distractions in life and aren't always given the chance to make it clear how important you are and how thankful we are for you dealing with everyones problems. I admire that somehow in between putting dinner on the table and trying to figure out which bandaid size best fits the cut on my knee, you're still able to find the simplest joys within anything.

I grew up with the ability to be woken up every morning by the most beautiful woman in the world. Dying to try on any pair of your high heels, apply a little bit of your lipstick, or wear one of your dresses -- anything to be just like you. Squeezing in between you and Dad in the middle of the night --even though your bed comfortably fit two, you found way to make room for three. You showed me that independence, success and even my most irrational dreams were all within my reach. I could tell you, "Mommy, I'm going to be on Broadway someday," and you would assure me that you would be there, front row, offering me a reassuring wink and nod, implying, "I told you you could do it." You never once second guessed anything I wanted to do -- the sky and beyond was always the limit. You were a little girl's biggest inspiration.

The teenage years can be tough, I know. The embarrassment of hugging a little too long, yelling out of the car that I forgot my lunch or dropping me off directly in front of the place I was going to was not uncommon. You are the strongest woman for dealing with the adolescent's worst moods. Between all the attitude and cold shoulders, you still hugged me a little tighter each and every night. As teenagers, we often put up a front to show that we can be independent, make our own choices and sometimes (even though we don't) think we know better than the wise words you offer to us. Don't think for a second that that front overcame our love towards you -- under the surface remained the 5-year-old wide-eyed, curly-headed girl whose heart couldn't contain any more love for her mother, or it would burst. We wanted nothing but to be like you and to hear your advice and follow it, even if our actions implied otherwise.

Now, being away from home I am able to look back at all you've taught me. The important lessons you reminded me day after day are my first words of advice towards others. I am forever thankful for all that you have taught me, and the friend you have always been to me. I am thankful for the extra "umph" you were quick to put under my feet during any hard times I faced, reminding me who I was and what I was capable of. No matter how small I felt at times you made me feel as though I could conquer the world. Your voice was the first one I desired to hear after a long day -- the heartfelt "I love you" could fix any mood in the world. As we grow up, we learn to see things in a different perspective, to appreciate everything you gave us and taught us a little bit more. We understand that as we are itching to get older, you are itching to get younger and spare time -- hoping you could hold that Crayola-stainedhand one more time.

So, Mom, I want to say thank you. Thank you for raising me to be the independent, strong-willed and determined woman that I am becoming. With a role model like you to look up to, there is no doubt I will take all that you graced me with and pass it along some day to my kids, whom will pass it along to theirs, all because of you. Thank you for placing all your trust, love and belief in me. And to a life filled with accomplishments achieved by you I say take a deep breath, look at all you've done and made, and pour yourself a glass of wine for a job well done.