I am forever grateful to the wonderful people who raised me and the things they have done for me in the last 18 years. That being said, as every relationship does, we have had many ups and downs together. The lows were very low, but the growth that comes from hard times have proven to be worth the struggles. My mom and I especially have always had a special bond and I feel so loved and lucky to have grown up with so much support by my side. This poem is a symbol of the love and growth that I feel I've had in the relationship with my mother in the past couple of years as she helped me through the pains of growing up. I believe that words like this are often needed as a reminder to keep going and to love ourselves as we push through life. Thanks, mom.

I hope it doesn't take you as long as it did for me.

To find yourself.

To find your purpose.

To find your passion.

That's when you'll really feel like you're living.

Don't let anyone take that journey of finding your passion from you.

Because what is a purpose without a passion?

You'll never find it through anyone but yourself.

To find peace within yourself is a gift from the universe and should be treated as such.

She will be giving you an opportunity, these are her gifts.

Accept them.

Explore.

Discover.

Travel.

Love.

You've always been a lover.

Hardly ever a fighter.

Start fighting for what you love.

Go for what you want.

Stop worrying about everyone but yourself.

Continue to be generous and kind-hearted.

Strive to be a better person every day.

Do it all for yourself.

Let go of the toxic people and you will grow even more than you already have.

Put armor on to protect the heart you wear on your sleeve.

Because sometimes your the only one who sees it's there.

One day he will come.

He will lift the armor and protect your heart with his own.

I hope he will seem familiar.

I hope he is kind.

Intelligent.

Caring.

Supportive and understanding.

The one who stays from the start to the end.

The one who you don't lose yourself in, but grow with for the rest of forever.

I hope you find all this and more.

I hope I have raised you in such a way that you will see your strengths and worth.

When you leave my side.

When I am not there to hold your hand.

I hope you know, you are strong enough.

You are wise enough.

You can do it.