i remember seeing
her working late into the night
the bills from therapy sessions
the wrinkles ingraining deeper into her face
and i promised myself i would change it
i remember hearing
the arguments over the phone
the sobbing from her room
the silence that whispered through the house when she was gone
and i promised myself i would fix it
i remember feeling
her tired form sagging into our hug
the scars on her dry hands from overusing them
the warmth that never dims regardless of what happened
and i promised myself i would remember it
there are no words that could express
the strength my mom possesses
the love my mom holds
that pushes her through everything
to make us happy, secure, content
and everyday,
my promises grow from her selflessness
to diminish her troubles
and never make her see, hear, and feel
the things she experienced
ever again
i just hope
anything and everything i do
will make up for all the pain i’ve caused
express my eternal gratitude to her
and give back even a slight bit of comfort and love
that’s she’s given to me unconditionally
i truly couldn’t have been more blessed
i love you.