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Dear mom,
Wherever you are this Mother's Day, I hope you know you're in my heart. I know we've had our differences, but you've been there for me from the beginning.
When I was born and you looked down into my baby blue eyes, marveling at the miracle that is new life, I'm sure you had hopes and dreams for me, as any mother would. Have I lived up to them? I've certainly tried.
As you sat me on your lap and read to me, did you daydream about all the places I would go? I know you wanted the best for me. I couldn't ask for anything more.
When I fell and scraped my knees and elbows, did you wipe away my tears? I hope you didn't blame yourself when I got hurt.
What was it like when you sent me off to preschool? And what about the first day you dropped me off at kindergarten? Did you tear up as you sat in the car, thinking about how quickly five years had passed, or did you worry about whether I would make friends? I made friends, mom, but no one could take the place of you.
Sonnets are full of love, and this my tome
Has many sonnets: so here now shall be
One sonnet more, a love sonnet, from me
To her whose heart is my heart's quiet home,
To my first Love, my Mother, on whose knee I learnt love-lore that is not troublesome;Whose service is my special dignity,
And she my loadstar while I go and come
And so because you love me, and because I love you,
Mother, I have woven a wreath
Of rhymes wherewith to crown your honored name:
In you not fourscore years can dim the flame
Of love, whose blessed glow transcends the laws
Of time and change and mortal life and death.
-Christina Rossetti, 1881
Were you proud at parent-teacher conference when I had straight A's? My teachers said you were. I knew you would be.
When I went to sleepovers at friends' houses, were you worried I would get into trouble? I promise I never did. I didn't want to let you down.
Did it break your heart to see me cry when I was hurting? Thank you for letting me crawl into your lap. Thank you for telling me everything would be OK. You were right.
When I found my dress for my first dance, was it magical for you like it was for me? Did you marvel at how quickly I was growing up?
When I graduated from high school, did you wonder where the time had gone? Did I resemble the kind of person you had hoped to raise? I hope I did.
Were you excited for me when I called you to tell you about my new job? Was it everything you had hoped for me? I think it was.
Did it make you proud to see me walking across the stage in my dark blue robe, and to hear my name called out in front of thousands of people as I graduated from college? I did it for you.
When I have a daughter of my own one day, what will I want for her? Will the world be enough? Was it enough for you? That's certainly what you tried to give me.
To you, then, mom, on Mother's Day. Thank you. I love you.
Love,
Your daughter
