There are no words great enough to express my love and appreciation for you and all the things that you have ever done for me. From sitting and doing homework with me every night when I was younger to helping me heal after my first heartbreak, you have been the one constant in my life. Although there have been people that have come and gone, you have never left me. You have been my rock, my caregiver, and my best friend from the start.

Even when times were rough and you didn’t know how you would make it through, you always put me first. It was always my needs that had to be met before your own. My hunger had to be taken care of and I had to have new clothes and supplies for school while you went without. Though there were instances when money was tight and we were struggling to get through each day, you still did what you could to give me everything I wanted or needed.

You taught me to be humble and kind but also how to stand up for myself and be strong when all I want to do is cry. You taught me to love myself as well as others and always stay true to my own values and beliefs no matter who disagrees. It is because of you that I have the determination to pursue my goals in life and not stop until I complete them or until I am satisfied with the results. You have been the best role model that anyone could ever ask for and there is no one I look up to more than I look up to you.

You covered both the positions of mother and father in my life and made sure I understood why our situation was the way that it was. Despite how small our family was, you never let me forget how much I was loved and how proud you were of me and my accomplishments. It was you who motivated me to do well in school and to try harder when I failed a test or I received a bad grade. You never let me give up and although we didn’t see eye to eye on some things, I am so glad that you pushed me as much as you did.

You let me make my own decisions and learn from my own mistakes even when you knew what the outcome would be. You were always there to help me through whatever mess I got myself into and you never judged me for something I did. You were always willing to listen to my problems and help me find a way to deal with them no matter if they were big or small. It was moments like these with you that taught me to be understanding and to always help others when they are in need. Without you, nothing that I have accomplished would have been possible and I would not be the person that I am today. Thank you, mom, for being you. You deserve the world.