Dear Momma,

Thank you, for enduring the 9 months of anxiety and discomfort of being pregnant, and the 22 hours of pain and uncertainty of labor, to bring me into the world. Thank you for all the nights you got up from your bed to come in my room to soothe me back to sleep. Thank you for the million tiny prayers you've sent on my behalf, everyday, even now, whenever you've read or seen something about a child being sick, lost, hurt, or even worse, killed.

Thank you for all the times you surrendered yourself to fits of silliness, making funny lyrics to songs, blowing raspberries on my tummy, and staying at the barn with me all hours of the day just to watch me ride.

Thank you for giving up your free time, surrendering your privacy, and putting aside some of the dreams you had as a woman to make room for all the new dreams you carry as a mother.

Thank you for my siblings. Thank you for finding within yourself the ability to love all of us equally, yet differently. We may all drive each other up a wall, but you taught us to treat each other with respect and love and this is what continues to help maintain our strong bond.

Thank you for cooking dinner every night. Even when they were met with complaints or our stubbornness to not eat.

Thanks for washing and folding laundry at midnight most nights because that was the only free time you had to do it.

Thank you for the sacrifices you made to be home with us. Even in those tiny secret moments when you wished to be somewhere-anywhere-else.

Thank you, mommy, for enduring endless hours of whining and fighting. I knew it drove you crazy, but that's what kids do right? LOL.

Thank you for teaching us manners, for instilling in us respect for every living thing, and showing us how to be compassionate.

Thank you for introducing me to God, for taking me to church, for putting me through 12 years of catholic school, for praying with me and for me.

Thank you for living through me, for me, and beside me, for carrying me when I needed you to and for letting me run ahead, even when you knew that the road would be hard.

Oh, and thanks for all the hugs and kisses, the love and support you have given me, honestly thank you for everything. I love you more than you know....

Your Oldest,

Magdalena Mychele Allen- aka "Cha-Chi"