Dear Mom ... a little late Mother's Day letter

Dear Mom,

SO  many of my childhood memories are wrapped up in you. In your presence, in the every day kindness you lived as a mother. In breakfast and dinner, and in conversations of me being your oldest daughter and for so long my closest friend. 

 And although I never forget to say “I love you,” I often forget to share another heartfelt expression: “Thank you.” And to every one of the great and amazing women who essentially raised me, your fingerprints left the deepest impression –So today, it’s time for a “thank you” – a letter of appreciation for leaving your mark on my life in so many beautiful (sometimes odd and unexpected) ways:

Thank you for encouraging me to be beautiful-on the inside, and by doing so with your actions. I've learned little things from each of you that have left a mark on the woman I am today. The way Aunt Cindy would say a little prayer each time she passed some poor animal that had lost his life along the road. The way my mom would pick and up and take in almost every stray animal or person for that matter that she found along the way. The giving spirit in which you all live your lives, giving even in times when you have been in need- without a second thought about doing so. 

For the memory of buying lunchables for the homeless and being able to pass them out ourselves. Grandma who was always  there with a wise word and a soft shoulder. Someone I could call when I needed a strong word of wisdom. 

For all that you have all overcome  and the beautiful deep souls you are. For teaching me to always have my toe nails painted, to never leave the house without my face on, and that age only brings more beauty. You all make me not so scared to age. 

Thank you mom, for encouraging me to bite my tongue, turn the other cheek and offer grace in every circumstance. Thank you for trusting me with my life choices, this confidence has led me down a path of life that is my own, one I can be proud of. One of self assurance and awareness. For taking time to say my prayers at night and for the Bible stories that are forever engraved in the foundation of my spirituality. 

For giving me every benefit of the doubt when it came to getting my way. For being the "fun" mom who my friends loved to be around, but still being a parent. For never showing me how hard some of your days were and for sharing with me when I was wise enough to understand. 

For being there when I need someone to talk to- to vent to- to fall into. For being by my side at Christus Santa Rosa during the hardest moments of my life. For running down the hall when I was vomiting, for no other reason then to just be there, since there was nothing you could do. For enduring such a trial with your child and for helping me to understand that it would all be okay. 

To my aunt Cindy for letting me move in with her during my senior year. For letting me drive your car to work and for taking me to my radiation appointments every day, after you'd worked all night long. For getting me my first real job, and for trusting me with your girls. For being the second mom I needed. 

Mainly mom, grandma, aunts.. thank you for being the kind of women that we can be proud to love, to be a part of and for giving us all the ability to be strong, independent, beautiful women who will raise our children to be and do the same. 

Its a little bit late, but happy Mother's Day today, every single day and always. 

Thank you so very much. 

 for being a mother for being MY mother.