I am and will always be a momma’s boy. Everyone believes their mom is the world's greatest, and they’re right. Mom, you should be celebrated! I truly can’t fathom how my mom hasn’t killed me yet. Not literally, of course. I’m her favorite child,(shush don’t tell Joe) plus she would do terribly in prison there no wifi in the big house. Jokes asides, I’ve given my mother enough heartache and gray hairs to last a lifetime. I’ve pushed her past her limits more times than I can count. Through it all, she has been my titanium pillar, never breaking, never failing, continuously rooted by my side as my biggest fan and supporter. I know in conversation with her I would never be able to find the words to thank her for all she has done for me, but I will genuinely try my hardest.

I love you, Mom. I love you with every fiber of my faulted being. I know I don’t say it enough and for that I’m sorry. From the day that I was born, you have been my person. The person that has taken care of me, whether you’re mad at me or not. Not once have you turned your back on me, even when by all accounts you should have. I know I was a hard person to raise. You said one thing, and I did everything in my power to do completely the opposite. I made it my personal duty to challenge you in every way, and I can’t tell you how sorry I am for that. I know the decisions I’ve and works I yelled have hurt you. I know that I’ve been less than delightful in the past, but I am working on it. I am where I am at today because of you.

Thank you for being the greatest role model I could have ever ask for. From day one you’ve worked your ass off to raise Joe and me correctly. You’ve done everything in your power to make sure we’ve lived a comfortable life. You’ve worked backbreaking long hours, made dinner nearly every night, drove me to sport’s practice every day. You’ve come to my side even when you were battling your own great storms. As 2016 ticks down I finally see the things you’ve done for our family. My biggest fail back statement when we have an argument is to say that I hope I never turn out like you. In fact Mom, I pray every day that when I have children, I can be half as good a parent as you are. I strive to have your work ethic, your perseverance. I hope to be as understanding, loving, forgiving, and happy as you are.

Thank you for seeing me at my weakest and loving me anyway. You helped me during the most traumatic moment of my life. You helped me walk when I was too weak to do it alone. You picked me up brushed off the dirt and looked me in the eyes and said you can survive this storm. You held me while I screamed out in pain. You showed me the light when all I saw was darkness. You showed me that I much more than my stroke. I can’t even imagine how traumatic it was for you having one child with CP while being told that your older son was terminally ill with a heart defect. I never saw you crack, I never saw your cry, I only saw someone with incredible strength. I can never thank you enough for that. For staying strong when all you wanted to do was cry.

Now, at this point, I hope your crying just as hard as I am. It’s best for both of us if I stop here, even though I could go on for pages and pages. You’re not just my mom. You’re my #1 fan, my role model, and my superhero, my Wonder Women, My Person. I thank God for you every night.

I love you to the moon and back.