Mother

Thank you for being my mother. It is truly remarkable how much you do, asking for nothing in return. You are selfless and courageous. You make parenting look easy and simple. It's easy to take you for granted, and I apologize. So I want to thank you, for all that you do. You somehow always managed to put the needs of us before your own. Sleepless nights, you were the one to comfort me. Putting your own needs aside. You would allow me to be a child and live in the land of youth. You protected me from the darkness, you created a world of kindness and safety. 

You managed to parent as a single woman. I have seen families with two parents and even extra help with nannies and so on, and they never managed to make it look as easy as you. From making meals, to clothes, to vacations. You planned everything. I now know how much time and effort is done to make all those things happen. Traveling for one, is complicated you have to think of transport, meals, accommodation, and if you want to go see and explore new experiences. That doesn't even begin to cover the surface though, does it? What about travel insurance, or making sure to put the mail on hold, who is going to water the plants, or take care of the dog. So much goes into planning, and you did it all. 

Activities, you managed to juggle our schedules so well. With sports, to plays, to music lessons, to play dates. You overseed it all. All the while trying to manage your schedule, a household, and pay bills. You are not just a mother, you are truly a superhero. How did you manage? 

I have been a teacher, and that doesn't even cover the lengths and means of what it means to be a mother. I have been broken and left exhausted on certain days of teaching. I would express my frustration and exhaustion when coming home. You would listen to my problems, but then I think back to my youth and I wonder... who did you ever confide in? Those rough days were when you felt as if the whole world came crashing down upon you. Who did you get to turn to? 

I am older now, and I am so blessed to have you as a mom. There are times when I think, why do I need a partner, when you managed to do it all alone. I can see the pros and cons. You never had to struggle with another when it came to different parenting styles, or how to discipline a child. You had to take control of the situation to its fullest. 

I want to thank you for coming to my recitals, the musicals at Four Seasons, and my auditions at Stepping Stone Theatre, and both of us laughing and being confused as to why they would make Yellow Submarine their audition song for young children. To make the most beautiful Halloween costumes, especially the green dress of Scarlet O'Hara! You came with me to get my hair done for my first silver bell, where I got stood up, but you made sure that I still managed to get a date. You always managed to make me be my best version of myself. You have supported all my endeavors, and you still do.

I miss you like no other. I miss our weekend drives where we would somehow magically appear at a winery. I miss our early coffee mornings when the sun would coat us with its warmth. I miss your laugh. I miss how you can tell when I am not myself, I miss you. I miss experiencing the world with you. I miss my best friend. I miss my mom. 

So, Thank you for helping me become the woman I am, thank you for supporting me, thank you for allowing me to discover who I am in this world. THANK YOU, and I Love You.

So dear reader, go and express your love and gratitude to your parents. Especially your mother. We don't express our love or gratitude enough. So be loud, be expressive, and say I Love YOU!