Dear Mom,

The last 23 years have been a roller coaster. You and I have discovered how to be strong, all the while being happy.

You were, and always will be, overprotective of me. As a teenager it seemed to be a drag. I had the mom who wanted to go out with me. I had the mom who wanted to know where I was and who I was going to be with. Looking back on it now, I know you were only worried about my well-being, and I'm forever grateful. There are many things in life that could have gone wrong had you not known where I ventured off to.

I look back on all the extracurricular activities I participated in, and they all have a common factor. You. You and dad missed a concert, volleyball game, or cheerleading practice. I fell in love with a volunteer program and you supported my decision to stay with it. You drove me to every meeting without ever trying to discourage me.

You went to a choir concert where I had a solo, and even though terrified I would sound like a screeching eagle, you were willing to endure it. I'm glad that I got to show you how well I had progressed and blow your mind with my ability.

You taught me that family means everything. You taught me that if you have nothing else in this world, you always have people who love you. The adult I have become realizes that I need to spend more time with family, and I need to have strong ties to the people who have always been there.

You also helped mold my mind into the open book it is. You showed me that I don't have to follow the pattern set by society. You raised a young woman who has a mind of her own. You never made me choose your opinion over my own. My strong will and determination stems from you. You helped me see that what I've been through doesn't have to define me. Each day is a new opportunity.

Most importantly, you taught me to be caring. You have always shown me that everyone matters to someone. You showed me how to be compassionate. You showed me how to love unconditionally. You taught me to be a decent human being with the ability to change the world. To this day I feel like my voice can and will help change the world's view on how we all live.

I can't imagine this place without you. You are my mother, and without you I would be nothing. We've shed tears together, we've had gut-busting laughing fits, and we have loved deeply. No matter what happens to me in life, I know you will always be by my side. Even though we scream at each other often, we love each other.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.

Never change, Mama.