We never used to get along and I wish we did.

I am thankful for the lesson, but wish I learned it a different way.

When I was in elementary school it was never easy. Your days were filled with calling the school, constant contact with my teachers to ensure with my learning disability I got the same education as my peers.

Middle school was not much easier. I was endlessly bullied, learning how to get organized with so many classes, and the teachers were not much help. You stayed up late with me arguing over homework and friends. I didn't want to hear anything you had to say because I thought I had the world figured out at 13. I didn't and I still don't.

High School was horrible. The bullying turned into harassment and I wasn't in any classes that challenged me. I got A's in high school but didn't learn anything. When Dad was in the hospital things between you and I took a turn for the worse. We still argued over home work, papers, and friends. You took me to see a psychologist when you couldn't see that the problem between us was you. I worked hard in high school to try to get you to see that I just wanted your affection. Not the presents, not the designer clothes or purses, just your affection. When I woke up on Christmas morning to no presents under the tree, I was heart broken. I called Dad crying and ran away temporarily. Was it so much to ask for for someone to be on my side for once? When I came home later that day all you said to me was "I was too busy dealing with your father to buy you presents."

I felt like I didn't matter and nothing I did for you would ever be enough.

With three months left of high school, I was blindsided. Traveling to a cheer competition you had a seizure while driving. I called 911 and prayed my mother wouldn't get taken away from me.

When Dad met me at the hospital, we watched you have another seizure. I lost it. The doctors told us how serious what was happening was. We learned you had a brain aneurism and we were unsure of the recovery process.

When they took you out of surgery you didn't know where you were, who we were, or what had happened. A thought flashed through my mind that you may never remember who I am. We watched you recover very quickly and soon you were dismissed to go to rehabilitation for 6 months. When you came home I promised myself I would never get angry at you again.

You went to work again in September and you were my biggest motivation. For someone to recover what you went through so fast was remarkable.

I am now in my senior year of college and I have done nothing but make you proud. We haven't fought in years and people are baffled at how close we are today.

So Mom, thank you. Thank you for motivating me, teaching me the difference between real friends and fake friends, and how to get through the late nights filled with homework. These are lessons that are always in the back of my mind even in college.