Dear Mom,

You have been my biggest supporter since day 1. You have taught me how to the simple things such as how to tie my shoes, to how to take a shower, to how to prepare simple meals. You have taught me how to talk, how to read, how to clean, and how to be the person that I am today.

You have encouraged me in everything I do. You have encouraged me to continue on in swimming, despite being told by peers that I was not good enough and feeling as if that were so. You came to every swim meet and screamed when it was my turn to race, and always let me know how proud you were of me for going at it every day simply because it is something I love to do.

You have taught me how to be strong. To take the higher road when someone hurts you, and to forgive (although some forgiveness takes some time!).You have taught me how to be compassionate and understanding, and to not judge so quickly. You have showed me how to love others and how to be the best I can be.

You have taught me how to take care of myself, physically and mentally. You have taught me to eat as clean as I can, and to get off my butt and do something productive so I would not just sit here and lose myself in fat food. You have taught me that if I make a commitment, I follow through and complete my commitment.

But you have also taught me how to be a good mother, a good wife, a good person.You have taught me how to be in the bible and stay devoted to God. You have taught me how to work your butt off to provide for your family, you have taught me how to remain hopeful.

You give me hope through your strength and faith in God. You give me strength through your hope.

You have taught me that despite my issues and my problems, I will be given the same responsibilities and I will be able to persevere and come out stronger than I had ever imagined. You show strength and compassion every day, and keep as much structure as possible.

You are hard working, dedicated, compassionate, strong, forgiving, amazing, and a hilarious person, and I am happy to call you my mom. You are my rock which I lean on for support in times of need, and you are my shield in which you try to shield me from the dangers and nastiness of the world.

You birthed me, you held me, you taught me, you molded me into the person that I am today. You show kindness and try to understand no matter what, yet you keep us in line. You love me, and that is all I could ask for. You, my dearest mother, are the best role model any young girl could have, and I thank you.