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From My Mama

For all those who got it from their Mama.

Miranda Tollison

Jul 05, 2016

University of South Carolina Upstate

Miranda Tollison (Canva)

Of all the cards I've given my Mom over the years, each professing how much I love her in regards to what holiday we are celebrating. I find myself in need of another card, this time for her birthday. Her "21st" birthday. For the fifteenth time.

The bond you feel with a parent is impossible to define. It's all the words that I cannot seem to find. It's like having a built-in best friend from the get-go. A bond so distinguishable that it's not one like you'd have with your siblings but one that you know transcends your being. It's the bond that makes you tear up a little when you realize that she may not be here one day. It's the same bond that has you hoping and wishing that day never comes. Despite all the fights, the tears, the arguing and the I-didn't-mean-it-like-that's, you recognize that you'll always have a home. Mom's are the beacons in the night, silent and steady. Unfaltering and watching. Slowly guiding you to the place you need to be.

Mom,

Thanks for teaching me that my mind is more important than my body. That my intellect will overrule my beauty. Thanks for teaching me that true beauty comes from within. So does self-affirmation and self-validation. Thank you for reminding me that I am a wonderful person even when I don't feel like one. Thanks for putting up with my mood swings and for never quitting our friendship. Thanks for being able to distinguish when I need my mother from when I need my friend. Thanks for being proud of me even when I fail. Thanks for reminding me that I still need to fly even when I fall along the way. Thanks for teaching me to be a lady. To never start it but always finish it. Thanks for teaching me to be tough and to always look for in the good in others. Thanks for teaching me that words are sharper than knives and we must wield them wisely. Thanks for not kicking Thomas' butt on the playground when I begged you to; Thomas, I forgive you, jerk. Thanks for teaching me the need to forgive but it's okay that I don't forget. Thanks for letting me be curious and explore, even it meant messing up the house. Thanks for praying with me and for me. Thanks for letting me think I'm a know-it-all and for letting me ramble about something I'm passionate about. I know I bore you sometimes. Thanks for giving me your hair and your smile. And a little bit of your nose. Whenever people ask who I got them from; I always say "I got it from my Mama."

Happy 21st Birthday Mom ;)

Your annoying, overly sappy, sweet and sassy, favorite and only daughter.

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From My Mama

For all those who got it from their Mama.

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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