Dear Mom,

Thank you. That doesn’t seem like enough though … just a "thank you." I feel like I owe you so much more, but how can I tell you? How can I even begin to tell you how grateful I am, how I couldn’t be where I am without you, and how I’ll never be able to repay you? I guess I just have to start with thank you.

Thank you for teaching me how to be strong.

Through all of the adversities we’ve faced, we faced them together. I watched you. I learned. You taught me how to be strong and how to fight. No matter what it was, we made it through. You taught me that I could push through anything and that I could withstand anything. You taught me that life would seldom be easy, but to live and let live. This too shall pass. You showed me courage. Sure it’s easy to say, but hard to do. You were my role model in being strong and enduring.

Thank you for showing me selflessness.

You showed me true compassion and empathy for other people. I took all of those years for granted when you put me before anyone else. Although I took those years for granted, I learned from them. I learned about the joy other people have when you prioritize them first. You taught me how to give, even if you have nothing left to give; I’m not sure I’ve mastered that as well as you, but I will definitely keep trying. You showed me that appreciating someone else’s happiness is how you become happy.

Thank you for supporting me.

I failed more times than I can count. Yet, every single time you were there to lift me up and tell me to try again. You never stopped believing in me, and without you I would have never been where I am today. I owe everything I’ve accomplished to you. You trusted in me, you encouraged me and with that, I worked hard to achieve what I have. I’ll keep pursuing my goals and dreams, because I know that your support will endure.

Thank you for teaching me how to have fun.

I used to drive myself crazy school and extracurriculars, and you were always there to set me straight. You taught me that the most important thing is happiness. If something is compromising your happiness, it isn’t always worth it. You never pushed me to do something that I hated, but you also pushed me to work hard. Nothing comes easy, and work is tough, but you should love what you’re doing. You taught me to leave time for nature, family, and for things that make me happy.Happiness comes first.

Thank you for teaching me love.

There is no love stronger than that between a mother and her child. Thank you for teaching me this. You taught me how to love myself, and that loving without condition is the greatest gift that someone can have. You taught me that love is enduring. Even if you don’t “like” someone that day you will always love them — because, well, everyone has their nerves tested (even you). The purity of unconditional love fostered trust and companionship that I will use for the rest of my life.

So here’s to you, Mom… thank you.