Mom, what can I say? We’ve been through so much together.
Literally: everything.
You were there from the time I was small, always watching me, always loving me. You’ve always been my biggest cheerleader and my number one fan; you’ve always been there and I can’t imagine my life without you. You were there when I marched across the stage in my kindergarten play, and you were there when they handed me my high school diploma. You watched me, every step of the way.
I know you miss the little girl I used to be. The one with the pigtails and coloring books and wild, tangled hair. I miss it, too. I miss climbing trees and spending Saturdays in the park, jumping in piles of leaves. I miss reading together before bed, and laughing as you chased me around the house. I miss the little things, and how simple life used to seem. Before college, before work, before everything that steals time away from us.
But the truth is, as much as I miss being a little kid with little toys, blanket forts, and juice boxes, I love being an adult. I love being the young woman you raised me to be. I’m polite, kind, and – well, not exactly patient – but passionate. You taught me everything. You taught me to be humble, courteous, and compassionate. You taught me to be honest and hardworking. I am the person I am today because of you.
Maybe you didn’t realize it, but all those years you were watching me, I was watching you, too. I watched you, the beautiful young woman you were and are, shape the world around me. You protected me, loved me, cherished me – in a way only a mother can.
I know we’ve had our moments. Especially those teenage years – let me apologize for them here and now. It’s sort of a tradition, isn’t it? Each generation passing on the hormonal nightmare of rearing teenage daughters. I know you dealt with a lot – that’s to put it mildly. But you got through it – we both got through it. Maybe we both learned a little along the way; I know I did.
I learned how to be graceful. I learned how to be driven and precise. I learned how to love. From you, I learned the thousand and one ways to say “I love you.” It’s all in the little things, isn’t it? The gentle, “How are you?” the unassuming, “Have you eaten yet today?” or, “Did you sleep well?”
I know I’m in college now, because of your efforts; I’m chasing my dreams, because of your encouragement. I couldn’t have done it without you. I pour every ounce of effort into everything I do – just to make you proud. I’m at that age now, when I’m finally starting to understand what being a parent means. It means love and sacrifice – altruism to the highest degree. It means unconditional love and unyielding support. It means being the best version of yourself you can be. I want you to know, Mom, that you inspire me. Each and every day. You amaze me, astound me, and invigorate me. Your strength, your passion, and your drive – it’s everything I aspire to be someday.
I’m a twenty-something now, and I still need you. I’ll always need you. That’s the truth. I’ll need you when I go apartment-hunting, when I flunk that final, when I need to tell someone I got into grad school. I know you’re always there. Always on my side. Even if I go far away from home, you’re just a phone call away. And you always have advice, always know what to do.
Happy Mother’s Day. Thank you for being you – for being this amazing, incredible person who chose to have a child. I lucked out when it came to you. Thanks for being the best Mom out there – for being a friend, a confidant, a therapist, and a doctor, all rolled into one. You’ll always be my mom, and I’ll always be your daughter – that’s a fact we can’t escape.
I love you, Mom.