There are so many things that I wish to tell you..

(Perhaps you were expecting something like this since you are graduating college soon!)

This letter is not one of advice, nor one of motivation.

The things that I could teach you have already been taught, and your motivation is already within you.

This letter is instead one of thanks.

Thank you for bringing sunshine into my life since the moment you were born.

Thank you for the tea parties with Hop.

Thank you for allowing me share your childhood.

Thank you for letting me dress you up, letting me take thousands of pictures, and letting me brag about you.

Thank you for turning out the lights and shushing everyone when I had migraines and you were no bigger than a minute, but you took care of me.

Thank you for doing the thousands of things that you did to help when you were so young and still at home, for helping with the housekeeping and the dishes and watching over your sister.

Thank you for watching out for me, when you were older and things were more difficult for us, even though I didn't know you were doing it.

Thank you for standing by me when I felt so abandoned by friends and family.

Thank you for allowing me to be myself, and not binding me with the "mother" role.

Thank you for your sense of honor, your strength of character, and your beautiful soul.

Thank you for being you.

~~~~~

I wish that I could take all your hurts and sorrows throughout your life...

I wish that I could smooth your path as an adult, as I did when you were a child...

I wish for you, a long relationship with a wonderful man...

I wish for you, a daughter who will fill your heart as you have mine...

I wish you love..

I wish you happiness..

I wish you peace..

I love you with all my heart.

And I always will... no matter what.

Mom