My mom is one of my most favorite people on the Earth, and let me tell you why. Not only is she someone I look up to, but she is and has been my best friend through all of life's obstacles. She has always been a shoulder for me to cry on and is always willing to listen to what I have to say. I am so thankful for my mom because she tells me the things I really need to hear, which I love. She will drop everything she is doing just to be there for me, and I have always been inspired to do the same for relationships in my life.

She teaches me every day that effort is important. This stems from my mom being a very involved mother. She likes to be involved in my life, to hear how my day is going, and is always willing to spend time with me or drop off items I need. The distance or time doesn't matter to this woman for everything she does is out of love. Speaking of love, she goes out of her way to make sure I am always very accommodated and full of homemade meals whenever I adventure home.

She has also taught me to love life and be positive. She always encourages me to love myself. She taught me to have a strong faith, and for that, I am eternally grateful. She will never pass up a church service, a trip to Starbucks, or a chance to do something active or adventurous. She fuels and encourages my love for traveling, and she has formed me into being the person I am today. I am organized and efficient, and I exemplify great communication skills. These characteristics I can thank my mother for giving me.

Although I have been very blessed by the life given to me, I have not been hidden from life's bad side. I am thankful that my mom did not hide these tough and difficult times from me because it has taught me to be strong. I am now more aware of my surroundings as I grow older and more aware of the reality within life.

I am also thankful for my mom because she always makes family a priority. I am able to have great relationships with extended family, and she places importance on the time we have together. She is always the one to bring a hostess gift, to offer to have and plan events, or to even offer for family to stay at our house. She never fails to go the extra mile when providing for the ones she loves.

My mother has also raised me to take pride in my academics. My constant strive for success is a direct result of her placing these values on me early in my life. Not only does she do these things in my life, but with my friends' lives, too. She makes the effort to ask questions and to care for them as if my friends were her own.

There are so many other reasons as to why I am thankful for my mom, but the moral of the story is that she is an incredible woman and she has given me so much in my life. I may not ever be able to return all the favors she has done for me. Without her support and guidance, I would not be where I am today. So much gratitude goes out to my mom.