from a daughter

today, i want to extend the warmest mother's day wishes to all the mamas out there.  to the single mamas who work non-stop for the kiddies, to the new mamas who have just begun their journey, to the grandmas, the aunties, the godmothers, the papas who have to play mama, to all the mamas in heaven smiling down on their babies, to the "part-time mamas," the ladies who do the work of mamas and don't receive the wishes today - teachers, nannies - you're all mamas and today we give thanks for you and all that you do.

my mama deserves a lot of recognition today, especially, and every day.

it's hard for me to write about my mom.  not because i'm unlucky - i'm the luckiest daughter in the world.  my mama is still here with me, healthy, happy, and still a central part of my life.  but that's why it's so difficult.  no matter what i say about my mother and how much i love her and how much she does for me, i will always have left something unsaid.  she is my best friend.  she's my cheerleader.  she's nursed me through sickness, comforted me through sadness, stood by me through every single hard time, celebrated with me in moments of joy, elevated my spirits whenever they've fallen, and she has always always always been by my side.  my mother has sacrificed so much so that she can give to others, my brothers and me especially, and has asked for so little in return.


---

i have little to give to you, mom, in comparison to all that you've given me.  you have given me the world.  you have given me the courage to face it, and the strength to face it again and again and again when the world beat me down.  you have given me the ability to smile in the face of pain and push through it, only to come out stronger and braver and better.  you have given me everything i could ever ask for, and the things i wouldn't have even known i needed.

in return, i can only give you my thanks and unconditional love.  you are my best friend and i love you more than i will ever be able to say.  i've tried before, but words will never be able to measure how much i love you and appreciate everything you've given me.


---


happy mother's day.