My mom, Selina White, has raised three children for the last 25 years. She has raised us to go on and live independent lives, while still being there any time we need her. I decided to take the time to collaborate with both my older brothers, Anthony and Adrian, to compile a list of 30 things that we wish we told our mom more often. Sometimes, we lose track of time and we forget to tell our mom things that she needs to hear on a daily basis. Just because we do not say it often does not mean we do not have these thoughts. You are always in our thoughts and you by far are one of the most important people in all of our lives.

So this is for you mom. Here is our list of 30 things:

Anthony, 25-

1. Thank you for holding me to high expectations so that I knew how to hold my students to high expectations.

2. Thank you for raising me to be tough, because I do not think I would have made it with a thin skin.

3. Thank you for loving me despite my flaws and imperfections which taught me to not apologize for being me and how to love others.

4. Thank you for demonstrating daily patience, acceptance and understanding that taught me how to have an open heart and open ears.

5. Thank you for showing me how to stand up in the face of adversity, because sitting down does not help anyone.

6. Thank you for the educational toys and the countless nights of story time. Without them, these words could not have been communicated.

7. Thank you for working day and night, selflessly, to keep a roof over my head and food in my stomach so that I was never in need.

8. Thank you for eliminating “quit” from my vocabulary. If I had let that word seep into my soul, I would not be where I am today.

9. Thank you for always opting for what is right over what is easy. My moral compass runs off of your example.

10. Thank you for being a model of black professionalism in a world that discredits black achievement and suppresses black potential. You showed me what is possible, and despite the challenges in place, I know that my potential is limitless.

Adrian, 23-

11. I miss you.

12. I appreciate all that you do.

13. You are awesome.

14. I'm so proud of you.

15. You are one of the strongest people I know.

16. I will always need you.

17. I understand.

18. I'm very happy with the person you helped me become.

19. Everything you did was because you care.

20. I love you.

Anastasia, 20-

21. Without you, I would be lost.

22. Even if you cry, I will still know you are strong.

23. I thank you for steering me away from toxic people and friendships.

24. I feel like I can be open and honest to you about everything.

25. Most of the time your advice is the right way to go, and I should take it more often.

26. I just want you to be happy at the end of the day, even if it means starting over.

27. I glad you went back to school to get your Master’s degree.

28. When you have a low point in your life, you don’t let it keep you down. Instead, you move forward, and I admire that.

29. I will be here for you any time you feel lonely.

30. I respect you.

Mom, I hope that by the end of this list, you smiled from what we had to say about you. We could not ask for a better mom to take care of use, impact us and keep our family functioning. We hope you have a great day, and we promise to contact you more in the future. We love you, Mom.