Dear Mom,
I didn't know what to get you for your birthday. I wanted to get you something that showed you how much I love you. I wanted to give you something that would tell you how much I appreciate having you as my mother. I know you like practical things and jewelry. Unfortunately, I don't have much money. So I decided to just tell you how I feel, since I don't say it enough.
I want to thank you for being my mother. Thank you for raising me. Thank you for making me strong and happy. Thank you for not giving in to the easy way out. Thank you for believing in me when even I didn't believe in myself. Thank you for yelling at me when it hurt you to do so. Thank you for holding in your anger when you most wanted to scream. Thank you for scolding me. Thank you for letting me be.
I know I did not make parenting easy for you. I know there were times I made you cry and worry. I am sorry for putting you through that. Thank you for forgiving me.
I am very lucky to have such a strong mother. When people say I remind them of you, I only hope that it is true. I hope I have the strength to maintain my true self the way you have taught me through lectures and your own example. Thank you for loving me unconditionally while giving me clear and strong boundaries. I see now why you did the things you did. When I see the people and friends I used to envy, I now feel sorry for them and grateful for having you.
You protected me when it mattered most. And I hope I can be as good a mother to my own children as you are to me.
Even though I know there will be tough times, I feel happy and confident that I will make it through. I am fortunate to have you as my mother.
Thank you for creating within me a strong sense of who I am, what I want and deserve, and where I want my life to be. I am very happy with the person that I am and the life you have given to me.
Thank you Mom and Happy Birthday.
~Hazell
P.S. Thank you for also giving me the best dad in the world!