Dear Mom

Dear Mom,

To the world’s greatest protector, feistiest pitbull, top chef, homework helper (sans math…I understand), and rock with the ability to bring a smile to my face unlike any other, Happy Mother’s Day. Today, the world celebrates you. But me? I celebrate you every single day.

I would have never been the person I am had it not been for you. Simple as that.

Let me start with this: You were always right. About everything. Even though I argued to the bitter end, I look back and understand that you only wanted the best for me. Isn’t that the way life should be? Really hoping the best for those that we love unconditionally? And who knows unconditional love more than a mother?

I want to be able to thank you for everything that you have done for me, but that endless list is larger than the piles of laundry you would selflessly take care of without question.

I want to be able to fill the world with the unconditional love with which you filled our home, but no one loves with that same compassion.

If I attempted to hold my life together in the ways you held our family together through the years, I would need every button in the Men’s Wearhouse inventory.

I am no fan of clowns, but imagine that they would hold envy in the way you juggled work, our school journey, sporting events, my health issues, and life’s day to day with ease and grace.

Working seemingly endless hours, you never neglected us in any way. Any time I turned and looked from the diamond, you were sitting there, beaming with pride.

It took quite the sense of humor to endure the endless boy band concerts you were audience to in the kitchen. And equally as much patience and sense of calm to have wiffleballs slam into the house on those infinite summer afternoons.

Long gone are days and nights you spent sitting next to me in a hospital room, composed on the outside, a wreck on the inside just so I would feel any level of comfort. But the memory and the immeasurable gratitude that I hold in my heart lives on in my own actions.

The list goes on far beyond the pages of a blog. You showed up. You cared. You pushed. You yelled. You cried. You smiled. You laughed. You lit up rooms. You assured…then reassured a million more times. You supported those who weren’t even your own because you wanted to. And so much more.

The job was not easy. Fair to say that it is still difficult each and every day. We have challenged you, and in return, you have loved us more. We have turned away only for you to still be standing there the moment we realized we should have never done that. I have often read that no two mothers have parallel journeys on the motherhood path. And while that will likely remain one of life’s mysteries, I would co-sign that your trajectory has not always been without its rocks and unforeseen turns to throw it all off.

But you still crushed it. All of it. You exhaustedly stayed awake when I slept soundly to worry for me. You loved me even when I slammed the door on your face. You have believed in my in my darkest moments. When I fell and nearly hit rock bottom, your hand was the first reaching out to pull me back to my feet. You were the first woman in my life; The first to hear my heartbeat.

You have spent your life inspiring and motivating me to be the best version of myself. I can only hope that the man I turned into makes you proud. No matter how far I am, you are right here with me. Always.

I love you.

Much Love,

Michael