My Mom

When I was young, I was told only men were strong. But then I saw my Mother carrying a weight like no other and I knew they were wrong. Growing up I don’t think I ever understood how much my Mom sacrificed for me. She wouldn’t do things she wanted to because my siblings or I didn’t want to, giving everything she could to make sure we were given everything we needed and more. She bends over backwards to provide for us but what do we do in return? All she wanted was a family picture in front of the tree, but we complained and whine. Why can’t we just give her that one picture she asks for? She sacrifices so much for us but doesn’t complain. She gives us everything she can but doesn’t expect anything in return. So why can’t we do the little things we are asked of?  My Mom has given so much that I don’t know how she has anything left to give. She is putting all of her energy into making sure we are okay but isn’t doing the same for herself. She takes all the backlash from us, the attitude we give, and the problems we cause, and yet she still does everything for us. I sometimes fear that we take her for granted, she deserves so much more than we give her. I don’t want her to be perfect, I just want her to be happy but I fear that is sometimes taken from her. My mom is rare. People like her only come around once. If you lose them they’re gone, but if you get to keep them you’ve won. People like my Mom are irreplaceable. She is rare because she is she. To the world, she is just a mom, but to me, she is the world.  All that I am or hope to be, I owe to her. I am a strong woman because a strong woman raised me. I owe a great deal of love to her because she showed me something beautiful about myself when I felt like I wasn’t enough. She gives me a sense of belongingness no matter how unwanted others would make me feel. She held my hand through my struggles and I will never forget that, I only wish to return the favor sometime. Mom, you gave me a forever home and for this I am grateful. In case no one has told you this lately, you’re a great mom.