Hey Mom,

I have so many thoughts running around in my head of what I could write in a letter to you. Do I apologize for the rampage I put you through as a teenager? Do I empathize with you on what being a mom is all about? Do I thank you for every changed diaper, every skinned knee, every hug, every tantrum – both toddler and teenager – that you dealt with? Do I tell you everything I ever learned from you?

I’m learning that you truly have no idea what your mom goes through until you become a mother yourself, and then every kid is different, right? You taught me so much more about grace than you can imagine, not in words necessarily but in how you chose to raise me, in how you chose to gently guide me. You allowed me to be myself and learn along the way, while also not necessarily being totally on board with all of my decisions but knowing that at some point free will does play a part in the whole learning process. I’ve heard it said several times, that motherhood is a thankless job, its putting in the hard work day in and day out, and on the hardest of days you don’t see the fruit of your motherhood in real time.

I’d like to say thank you. Thank you for every nauseous moment you endured for me, every hour of painful labor, every minute you endured away from me in my journey to the NICU. Thank you for every ballet recital I got to perform, every gymnastic meet you allowed me to attend, every soccer game I got to play. It’s funny how as I’ve gotten older I’ve gotten to know you more, the parts you don’t share with your young kids because there’s no time to be that. You’re the mom, and it’s not until I became an adult that I’ve gotten to see you – the hard work, love and care poured out for me and my brother. I pray you feel loved, appreciated, humbled, and proud of the mom you were and are still. I love you so much mom, thank you.

Written by: Sofia Napier.