Thank You, Mommy

As we all know, tomorrow is Mother's Day and I'd like to take a second out to say something. My mother and I are extraordinarily close; she is my best friend. In that same breath, sometimes she can be my worst enemy. This feeling was reserved for my teenage years, mostly. When I was about 15 or 16 and I was just starting to assert my individuality and develop into a young adult, she and I butted heads on just about everything. I didn't realize until about a few years ago that everything she said or did was said or done for me, not to me.

So this is for you, Mama.

Thank you for reeling me in when I was being a little witch.

Thank you for popping me upside the head when it was necessary.

Thank you for keeping me in private school, even when I hated it.

Thank you for putting up with my " soft-heartedness" (as you and Grandma call it and letting me bring home stray animals when it was necessary

Thank you (and Daddy) for showing me what a successful marriage is supposed to be.

Thank you for always taking the time to ask me about my day, even if I didn't want to talk.

Thank you for having my back when no one else does.

Thank you for understanding my feelings even when I don't.

Thank you for forcing me to get up and go to church every Sunday.

Thank you for knowing me better than I know myself.

Thank you for being my biggest fan.

Thank you for being my arch-nemesis (haha)

Thank you for forcing me to be nice to my little brother, my second biggest fan.

Thank you for having faith in me, even when I don't.

Thank you for teaching me what it means to be a strong woman.
Most of all, Mama...
THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU!