A letter to my mom on Mother's Day

Dear Mom,

I have given you many beautiful and sparkly Mother’s Day cards over the years. I make sure the verses convey my feelings.  But those sentiments are the thoughts of another person. This letter comes from my heart. 

Your health is deteriorating. You can barely walk and are attached to an oxygen tank 24/7. But I thank God that he has given us so many wonderful years together. I know your mother died when you were 4 years old and you were shuffled among relatives. How difficult that must have been.

I am glad you have been an important part of my life. Where do I begin to thank you for all you've done?  Mom, you are my biggest influence. You made me a stronger woman, a better mother and a kinder person. You taught me to laugh when faced with adversity and to share with the less fortunate.

Growing up I didn’t appreciate your talents as a seamstress. But when you created my gorgeous wedding gown with its hundreds of pearls sewn by hand, I knew your heirloom would be passed to my two daughters. Your legacy also lives in their baptism, communion and special occasion dresses created on your sewing machine.

How you love your grandchildren. You babysat while I worked and never turned down a chance to watch them at other times. As they grew older, you were always there to cheer for them at special events from dance recitals to graduations.

Remember when I was little and wanted to give you a gift, but had no money.  I picked fragrant lilacs from our bushes and proudly presented them as you smiled. This year, I don’t have the extra money either so I will cut some flowers from our lilac shrubs, take them to your house and wait for that smile.

So to sum up this letter: You already know I love you. But you are more than my mom. Happy Mother's Day to my best friend.