Dear Mom,
You are my superhero.
I sit in class, lie in bed, drive around and think just how special of a woman you truly are. How can you love your children unconditionally after having to put up with us for 20 years?
I know life is hard for you, and I don’t always make it much easier, but know that there are times I try. You come home from a long 7 hour work day to dirty dishes, pillows and blankets thrown all over the living room, and my school stuff everywhere, just to find me sleeping in my bed, or off with friends. Yeah, you get frustrated but you keep your Mommy pants on and continue on. As tired as you are, you prepare a nice home cooked meal for the family so we can all sit down together and play high/low to talk about our days. Just know how appreciative I am for you and all that you do.
Next I say “thank you.” Those two little words don’t seem enough after everything you have done for me. Thank you for being there for me through every stage of my life. For sitting on the sidelines of every game and school event that I had. During sporting events often hearing “Let’s go Sara, get your head in the game,” and often rolling my eyes of embarrassment, but deep down appreciative you were there. I couldn’t ask for a better cheerleader. Thank you for bandaging up my scrapes and bruises better than any doctor could. Thank you for holding my hair at 2am when my stomach wasn’t agreeing with me. Thank you for drying my tears when stupid boys broke my heart, and for reassuring me that there are many fish in the sea. Thank you for all the fake texts or calls saying I needed to come home just because I didn’t want to be wherever I was anymore. And MOST importantly thank you for teaching me right from wrong and making me into a courageous young woman.
Now come the “I’m sorry’s.” I’m sorry for any time I have let you down, or any time I have chose friends over you. Sorry for the slammed doors, and the “I hate you’s.” Sorry for the bratty comments or annoyed snarls when you were just asking me how my day was (I never did like 20 questions after a long day). Sorry for the tantrums when you told me I couldn’t go to my friend’s house. You say you can’t wait for me to have a daughter so I can get all of this back in return. If that is the way you will forgive me for all that I have put you through then bring on the daughters!!
You have worked so hard to give me the life that you have and I cannot thank you enough for that. I was always confused when I had to pay that $50 a month for my phone bill, when my friends didn’t have to pay a dime, or when I had to pay for my own gas when my friends just swiped their parents card. However now I am here realizing you were just teaching me the value of hard work and responsibility. Thank you for also understanding that I make mistakes, but most importantly thank you for fighting with me to turn those mistakes into lessons.
However I have to admit…
The thing I don’t understand about you is how you still love me unconditionally after all the tantrums I throw. Whether I can’t find my favorite purple sweatshirt, or it’s just my time of the month, I don’t always treat you the way I wish I did. I yell at you, I slam my door; I walk out of the house and “run away,” yet I can always go to bed that night with a hug and an “I love you.”
You have received numerous calls from my high school principal, calls from my coaches, or calls from other parents to tell you something I did wrong. You got mad, and once again we cried, we yelled.. But most importantly we talked it out and you showed me right from wrong.
Leaving the house when I went off to college was a day I will never forget. I felt as though you were letting me free and that I was leaving my best friend behind as I embarked on the scariest journey of my life. Although I may not have showed it, I cried as many nights as you did and wanted nothing more than to come home for a movie night and cuddles with you. I wanted to leave all my schoolwork behind and find my childhood again. However, once again, you were there to lead me to the place I am in today. I am now a junior in college and leaving your side still isn’t easy. You are my security blanket that I wish I could carry around with me.