It’s times like these that we feel overwhelmingly grateful for someone. On their birthdays, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day and the like. I think it’s also safe to say that with this immense gratitude comes the thought of guilt. Shouldn’t I be thankful for this person every day? Well, Mom, I hope that when you look back at this on days you feel underappreciated, you’ll realize that I very much do appreciate you every single day.
Mom.
Where do I begin? I guess by saying “thank you”. Thank you for being my best friend and confidant. Thank you for sending me money and love when I need it (even if it’s accompanied with “you really need to get a job”), and understanding that being a broke college student is hard. Thank you for every single piece of advice you’ve ever given me. Thank you for being a second mom to my best friends and even friends you’ve never met. Thank you for being genuine, hardworking, and above all loving.
But the greatest thing I could ever say “thank you” for is this: thank you for being you. I know times get tough and you question your ability to keep us kids happy. I know that you’ve sacrificed so much of your life and every part of your wildest dreams to raise us. Regardless of your doubts, you’re doing such an amazing job and have never once stopped being the wonderful human I get to call my mom.
We’re getting older now, and we’re moving away. I think now is the time to focus on you. Do what YOU want. Travel where YOU want to go. Live where YOU want to live. Most importantly, don’t worry about us. Now is your time to live. We have selfishly taken 20+ years from your freedom and, although I know you wouldn’t have had it any other way, it’s time to turn the page. Mom, today is your day. The day where you have every right to feel like the queen that you are. You are so so so special to me. Thank you, for everything. Happy Birthday.