Dear Mom,

I awoke this morning and I was thinking of you, so I thought I'd write you a letter!  You know it's almost Mother's Day, I wanted to thank you for being the best!  I remember during my school years making you special art work or trinkets and being so excited to give them to you on this special day!  You were always so excited and would display your gift for everyone to see!  We would pick you flowers all day and you would clip them in your hair, not letting us know they were just weeds.

You were always the best!  I remember you brushing my hair, and fixing my collar, and pulling my crooked pants to line them up straight!  You would shoot pictures of us every chance you got, because you wanted to remember every one of our milestones forever!

You were always the best at making me feel better when I was sick!  You knew exactly what I needed!  You made the best soup!  You drove us countless times to the emergency room, and never let on that you might be nervous.  Your sense of calm made everything better.

You had the best heart of anyone I have ever come to know!  You took in anyone who may have needed you and helped many!  From you I know compassion.  I know if someone is hungry, you feed them.  I know if someone needs your help, you help out in any way you can.  You have taught me forgiveness and unconditional love.

As a teenager, I wronged you!  I laughed at your pain of your arthritis when you tried to scold me.  I was embarrassed by your occasional accidents, from your bladder growing old.  I lied, I sneaked, and I hated you. You, you just kept on loving me!  You would tell me, "you won't know what it's like until you become a mom!"  And you were right!  Mom I am sorry for treating you this way.

I now am a mom too!  Sometimes the pain of seeing your child sick, bullied, or hurt is too much to bear, but you find a way to make it better. The love you have for your children is overwhelming at times, but keep a brave face!  The sass of a teenager is heart breaking, but don't let them know you are crumbling inside because now is the time they need you to be strong!  An aging body is painful and embarrassing.  Now I get it!  I will put on my brave face, pretend like I know everything is going to be alright and just pray my kids will grow up knowing how much they are loved!

Sometimes I think of calling you, but your phone has been dis-connected.  I wrote you this letter, but your P.O. box has changed.  I don't know what the postage would cost or how it could be delivered.  I just wanted to write you, and tell you Thank you for being the best mom ever!  Thank you for loving me always!  I can't wait to visit you soon when the moon kisses the night sky and I fall into a slumber, I will see you then!  Continue to Rest in Peace.

Love you always,  your baby girl