A love letter to my mother
I wrote this letter about a year ago. I am not sure if my mom has ever read this letter. A friend of hers reached out and asked me to write about my mom. I was asked to write about "What kind of mother do I have?". I stand by these words today.
I have to start out with my mother (Gloria) is not perfect. She will be the first to admit she wasn't a perfect mother growing up. I don't blame her for the way we were raised. She did her best with what she knew. I can say growing up, we didn't go without. She worked up to three jobs at one point. Her kids having an education was crucial to her. She didn't want us to be "dumb" like her. (Her words, not mine) We were always so busy growing up with school, extracurricular activities, work. At the moment, I didn't realize how much she was sacrificing and how hard she was working to make sure we had a better future. I don't know how she did it basically raised three children alone, worked, and never missed an important event for any of us. She has forgotten my birthday a few times, I know she's only human, but I'll never let her forget that! (Insert laughing face emoji)
If you would have asked me five years ago why kind of mother I have, I'm not sure I would have been able to give you all these praises, not because she was the worst mother ever or "Mommy Dearest," as I liked to say, because I didn't understand what it took to be a mother. Once I became a mother myself, I started looking at the world differently and appreciated all the hard work and sacrifices she made. I don't know how I would survive now without my mom. When I was a teenager, I couldn't wait to get away. Now, guess who is calling every hour on the hour asking where are you, what time will you be home, and who are you with? Oh, how the tables have turned.
I am so proud of my mom. She's come such a long way. She's been on this journey finding the Lord, self-love, and self-worth, making her a better mother, grandmother, and person. We all have a past and have made mistakes, which doesn't stop my mom. She pushes herself every day through the pain, stress, and on top of it, all my sassiness. I don't think she would have made it this far without the help of God, friends, and family!
Mom, Thank you for all you do. We love you, and we're so proud of you.
Written by your eldest daughter.