Dear Grandma,

Throughout the years, you have watched me grow into the young lady you see today. You have babysat me more times than I can count and cooked me food when I was hungry. You taught me how to sneak food into my bedroom even though mom has a "no food in bedroom" policy, and you are the first person I told when I had my first kiss.

You are the person I go to when I need a tight hug or a shoulder to cry on. You are there when I am not quite ready to tell mom certain things, and you calm me down. I cherish every moment we have spent together, from you telling me stories of mom and her siblings growing up to your "teenage years." Raising ten children could not have been easy and you should be so proud of how well you have raised them.

No family is perfect, but I thank you for giving me the family that I do have. You are the pillar that holds this family together, you have opened the doors to your house to anyone who has needed shelter or help. You have been a mom to anyone that was in need of one. You are tough and strong. You are selfless and loving. I am so lucky to have grown up with a women like you taking care of me.

Thank you for everything you have done for the family and I. Thank you for all the tough love we all sometimes need because we need to be reminded of how lucky we are to have a home and food on the table. As your grandchild, I hope to make you proud. I hope to be able to have your strength when dealing with the tough obstacles life throws at you from time to time.

Happy Mother's Day, Grandma. I love you.