Dear Momma,

I don’t really understand how or why you decided to raise me, but I am so happy you did. The fact that it was your turn to enjoy the last few years you had for adventure, but instead took me and my brother in; you didn’t even think twice. It was such a selfless decision. I don’t know how I could ever thank you enough.

There is one thing I want to thank you for immediately. Thank you for teaching me about my faith, God, and what it means to be a good Christian. Without God in my life I don’t know how I would have made it this far. Especially with the hectic journey I have had, God has had my back through it all. I love that you made me go to church every Sunday, go to Sunday school, say my prayers before bed, and all those other religious things you taught me. The list could go on forever.

Life is not always easy, but you helped make it as easy as possible. I always felt like an outsider in school because all of my friends had their mom’s and dad’s with them. I thought I was the only one who didn’t have my biological mom and dad around. You helped me have such a normal childhood considering the situation Mikey and I were in. We didn’t have Mom and Dad, we had Momma. You worked so hard to give me a better than normal childhood, and it was the best childhood ever.

I love all the qualities in me that I got from you. Little things like that little subtle laugh under your breath when watching television, using grocery bags as mini trash bags in my room, the silly faces I make, the dancing around the house like no one is watching, being stubborn about certain things like you are, getting frustrated and frazzled easily when I am doing something important, and so much more. I love all of the weird and silly things I do, because I got them from you.

You taught me many lessons in life, but the ones I remember the most are ones that everyone should know. You taught me to give 10% of everything I made during the week to charity or the poor box at church. You taught me the right things to do and the wrong things to do, and which choice was the better one to make out of the two. You taught me to love myself no matter what anyone else ever said about me. You taught me how to carry myself with class, elegance, and to have self respect. You taught me to always forgive, to always be kind, and to always have a pure heart. Of all the lessons you taught me, my favorite by far was the importance of inner beauty, not outer. Only a woman like you could have taught me that.

You helped me learn from my mistakes, even if all I did was complain when you were right about the mistakes I made. As a matter of fact, I did a lot of complaining, yelling, and being mad because I didn’t get my way. I am so glad you grounded me and took my phone or car keys away from me at some points. How else would I have learned my lesson? As much as I hate my curfew, I am so glad I have it. It really does keep me out of trouble.

Overall Momma, I know I wouldn’t be the woman I am today if it was not for you. You will always have the title of Mother, Father, and Grandmother to me. You did all the hard work-- all of it. I don’t know if my biological mother or father have ever thanked you for doing what they should have done, but if they didn’t, thank you. You will always be my Momma, no matter what and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Love,

Your Little Dove