Dear Mommy,
In all my 22 years of living, this will be the first time missing a Holiday. I know that Thanksgiving is your favorite, so this is to you.
You are the most strong willed, open-minded, and empathetic person I know. You have always taken care of Clay, Jordan, and me. You have always provided for us and made sure we never went without anything we needed and we had most of the things we wanted as well. You raised us to be compassionate, goal oriented, independent, and wonderfully spirited humans.
Growing up I don’t really know what I was like as a younger kid, but from what I hear, I was a handful. Then came the teenage years, the years of rebellion, back talking, stomps up stairs, and all the slamming doors. WOW, aren’t we thankful I grew out of those years. Back then, I hated all the times you told me what I could and could not do. I hated all the times you told me no. But mostly now, I just hate all the times that I hurt your feelings and fought with you. I now know all you wanted was the best for me.
A couple of years ago, I would have said you were just my mom. But, once college came around, you became so much more than that. You went from my mom, to a friend, to my best friend. I couldn’t go a day without talking to you, which lead to calling you no less than 3 times a day, and that was on a good day. I couldn’t wait to get out of class to tell you what I had learned. I couldn’t wait to be done with work to tell you what stupid thing someone tried to do or said to me that day. I couldn’t wait for chapter to end to tell you what frustrating thing was said that night. There wasn’t a single thing I couldn’t wait to tell you, ask your advice about, or just vent. You turned into my person.
Thank you for reminding me everyday how loved I am. Thank you for believing in me and supporting me in anything I have put my mind to. You have always told me that the world is so much bigger than Sumter, bigger than South Carolina, and bigger than America. You have always told us that you wanted us to travel and see the world, so of course when the option of The World Race surfaced, you were my biggest supporter. I would not be on this trip without your love and of course the many times you talked to dad to help convince him that this was the right thing to do. You have been my #1 fan!
As I continue to grow up, I promise you this: You have raised a strong, independent, and respectful daughter. You have been an amazing role model for me and you have made me want to be more like you everyday. You inspire me, in every way, and you have raised a daughter that wants to make the world a better place.
I know that growing up I took you for granted and I am sorry for that. You are now one of the most important people in my life. I pride myself on our relationship and all that we have shared in the past 4.5 years. It brings so much joy to my spirit when people tell me that I am like you. I love that I can tell everyone that you are my best friend and that I can tell you anything. I am so blessed to have someone like you. I know that I never said thank you enough growing up, or even that much now but I cannot thank you enough for all you have done for me. Thank you for being so much more than just a mom. I would not be the woman I am today, without you. So here’s to you, and on this holiday, I am most thankful for you.
Happy Thanksgiving mommy! I hope you have a great time, and this year you are allowed to eat the extra plate and not feel back about it. You get to have an extra plate for me!
I love you, forever and always!
Your daughter
(Don’t worry dad, your letter is coming soon).
