Becoming a mom has made me so deeply thankful for my own parents.  They are rock stars in my book.  I wrote them a letter a few weeks ago, letting them know how I feel and I share part of it with you all now, to honor the amazing woman that is my mother and in the hopes of inspiring you to do the same for your own mothers.  

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Dear Mom,

As I am now a mother myself, I realize profoundly all the sacrifices you made for us.  Being a mother is the single hardest thing I have ever done.  It is a thankless job and greatly under valued by society at large, which is something I am struggling with and I’m sure you struggled with.  Perhaps there were times when you even felt that Dad took what you did for granted, I know I feel that way about Raf sometimes. Being a mother is wonderful but also challenging, deeply rewarding, but also lonely, and the most wonderful experience but also incredibly testing.  As mothers we are faced with two very difficult decisions: to work on our careers or to work at raising our children and to do both means to sacrifice something from each.  I know now what you gave up for us.  You gave up finding and pursuing your passion.  Not only did you do that, but then you went on to do something that you disliked immensely, which was to home school us and we both know that I didn’t make it easy.  You spent 8 years homeschooling me and giving me the educational building blocks for all my future scholastic achievements.  I have my MPH today, because of the sacrifices you made.  Beyond, the sacrifices you made for me to ensure that I was educated you were also an excellent example for me.  You did (and still do) so much for us and never made us feel bad about it, you never reminded us of all you gave up for us and you were incredibly patient.  You allowed us to be free to explore, to fall down, and to make our own mistakes, while probably worrying about us the whole time.  I know, I don’t tell you as often as I should, but I’m so deeply blessed and grateful that I have you as a mother.  I need you more than I say or show.  I couldn’t have asked for a better mom. I know we’re very different in many ways, but I like to think that I got many of my strengths as a mom from you.  I’m so sorry it has taken me 28 years to tell you how much I appreciate you, because I do, now more than ever.  You are the kindest, gentlest, sweetest, most loving woman I know and I feel so proud that I get to call you mom.  You are a hero. You are my hero.

I miss you every. single. day.  I love you!

Happy Mother’s Day!