To My Mom, Thank You
You do so much for me and I don't thank you enough for it. So, here is me thanking you for a fraction of what you do and who you are.
Hey Mom,
First, and foremost, thank you for everything you do to provide for me. You work very hard to give me the things I want. I just want you to know that it doesn't go unnoticed. You have sacrificed a lot in order to provide for me. Not all parents are willing to give up things for their kids, rather they have to "earn it." But, I am extremely grateful that you willingly make sacrifices for me. In fact, through all this, I've realized you are probably the most selfless person I know — you treat us to the things we want and I can't ask for more, especially when you would love some new clothes or home renovations.
I also want to thank you for the countless things you've done for me that don't involve money. You always have my back and are ready to support me in any and every way possible. When it came to my middle school and high school years, I wasn't the easiest nor the happiest child, but you did everything in your power to lift me up to help me see the bright side of everything. It's not easy seeing your child unhappy, especially when you have given them so much to be happy about. You persisted and did your best to understand me and my feelings. Plus, not only did you help me through those specific struggles, but you continue to support me all the time and I couldn't be more grateful for that.
Additionally, when it comes to academics, that not always easy either. Growing up, you were always there when school was tough. You worked hard to make sure I had the tools to succeed; you have never stopped doing that either. You have taught me what having a good work ethic looks like — I'm not quite sure I'd be the student I am today without your help and guidance throughout all these years.
Honestly, I don't think I'd be who I am without you at all. You have taught what it means to be kind, honest, empathetic, organized, well mannered, intelligent and so much more. No wonder there are so many crappy people out there, it's because you're not their mom. But in all seriousness, the older I get the more I make sure I pay attention to the things you do and say because I know how valuable it all is. I know how much you have to offer me and I don't take it for granted that's for sure. At the end of the day, you have taught me so much more than you and I both realize and that's something I can't thank you enough for.
And one day, when I'm a mother, I hope to be half the mother you are to me.
I love you so much,
Becca
The Day My Roommate Realized Only Her Mom Could See Her Facebook Posts
She realized it... after a YEAR.
Man, do I have a story for you. But first, let me give you a little background.
Recently, I joined the Odyssey community at my college, Florida Gulf Coast University. This, for example, is one of my articles.
Well, my roommates at college are amazing. They are super funny and so supportive. So when I got my first article published on Odyssey, I let them know and they were so excited. They went to share the post on Facebook, and usually, this step is no issue. Well, except for one of my roommates, Emily.
Emily is hilarious and very outgoing. However, what happened next to her is no surprise to me. If this was going to happen to anyone, it, of course, was going to be Emily.
You see, Emily went to share my article, but something looked funny. Instead of sharing it immediately to her page for everyone to see, she realized it was going to share only to "specific friends." When she expanded the option she realized her "specific friends" were only one person: Her mom.
She wasn't sure why it was only going to share so just her mom would see the post. But that's when the dots started to connect. Emily thought back to her recent posts and shares to Facebook and it all started to make sense.
She thought back to major signs that told her something was up, but she just never picked up on them.
And the most important sign she didn't pick up on involved her mother.
Right? Shouldn't Grandma at least show some love?
Emily had to investigate to see how long this went on for. How long was only Emily's mom seeing her Facebook posts? It couldn't be for more than a couple weeks, right? That would just be outrageous. But then again, no one had been liking her posts for a while now...
January 11th. Since January 11, 2018, had Emily's Facebook posts only been seen by her mom. An entire year.
Emily shared this all with us and I couldn't help but share it with everyone else. This type of scenario is so specific that no one can help but laugh. The steps that had to be taken for her posts only to be visible to her mom, and the thoughts that Emily must have had for the entire year. It probably started out small. Maybe she didn't get any likes on a picture she shared. She probably thought,
"Hm. That's odd."
Then the next couple of posts saw no response or acknowledgment and Emily had to think,
"Well, I guess that wasn't as funny/interesting as I thought it was."
The fact that this thinking went on for an entire YEAR, the thoughts had to escalate. At what point would you begin to get upset that no one cared what you posted? Or maybe at that point, you just stop posting at all because clearly, no one cares.
Well, except your mom.
I guess this just goes to show that your mom is really the only one who will be there for you, liking all of your posts when no one else will.
So thank you to all the moms who are always there liking all of our Facebook posts. Whether it's because they are the only ones seeing them or not. Thank you, mom.