I realize Mothers Day has come and gone and I have honestly been planning this post since well before mother’s day, however, with all of the excitement of company and the unending to-do list this post took the back burner. Like I would say if I was still 16, I didn’t forget (or I wasn’t too busy) I just wanted to ensure you got an extra day to celebrate. Which brings up a different point of I think moms, especially the good ones should be celebrated every day. Also, while primarily this letter is written to my own mother because she had the most 1st hand experience with my upbringing, I also understand and respect the fact whether it is by blood or bond there are a lot of women in my life that have played a mother like role in my life. So to all my momma’s, whether your my real momma, my grandma, my mother-in-law, grandmother/nana in-law, adopted mother, or just a mother at all, thank you. I hope you can find some way to relate to this letter….

Dear Mom,

First and foremost, thank you. I am ashamed that it took me having my own baby to truly appreciate all you do for me, but it wasn’t a moment too soon that I understand. All those nights and even days that you spent kissing my bumps and bruises, cleaning up my messes, comforting my fears, talking me through tough times, rubbing my back, and caring for my every need. Those days when you really just needed 5 mins alone and I insisted on going into the bathroom with you. Words, actions, gifts, they will never truly express how much you’ve done for me. I hope some day I will be able to return the favor.

Second, how the heck were you so patient with me? I was not walk in the park and I sure gave you a run for your money, why in the world did you put up with my shenanigans? I know it’s a mom thing but I am really impressed with everything you put up with, even still. You are one of a kind, that is for sure.

Third, I am so sorry, I know as a kid I was not a cup of tea, and I know that you lost many nights of sleep tending to my needs no matter how silly. I am sorry for the hundreds of times I came to your room because I had a bad dream or I didn’t feel well. The times that I called you into my room because I needed some extra love. The many times I asked that you carry me up the stairs to bed just for old times sake. The midnight calls to come pick me up from a friend’s house when I missed home and all the stresses I caused you.

Fourth, I love you, I would say here, more than you ever know, but I know that is not possible because as my mom you know a love deeper than anything anyone could ever understand. A love that looks beyond sleepless nights and endless crying. Beyond disappointments and anger. A love that made me who I am today.

Lastly, I am alright, take a break, stop worrying, you raised me to be a strong and beautiful woman and with your example I am. I know you can’t help it but trust that you have done everything you can and I turned out great. Don’t compare those early days to anything, yeah, we may have had some extra bumps and bruises or we ate ice cream and cereal for breakfast lunch and dinner when you were gone but you always made sure our hearts were taken care of. You would go as far as recording books and stories for us to listen to when you were gone and although I may not have always seen it I am sure you had someone checking on us and Dad. For one day, or a week, month, or year (I’m getting crazy) trust that you have done a good job raising me and my brothers and give yourself a break. Take a nap, read a book, get a drink, it is well deserved.

There is countless hours of unseen work that goes into being a mom and today (or well Mothers Day) I want to thank you for all the time you put in behind the scenes and without praise or recognition so that I was safe from the monsters, or I knew you were right there if I needed you. Now that I am grown and a mom myself I hope that you can sleep, the whole night, uninterrupted, in your own bed and wake up knowing that you did all that you can for me and the rest is up to me.

I love you, and I always will. Thank you for everything you did, do, and inevitably will do for me.