Hepburn and Houndstooth

Yesterday, Erin at Blue-Eyed Bride did a post to thank her mother and her son on Mother’s Day.  I decided to shamelessly steal the idea, but my kids had other ideas.  So today, I’ll limit it to thanking my mama.

Dear Mama,

Thank you for the little things.  For letting me tag along behind you everywhere you went for a full eighteen years, never letting on that you just needed some time alone.  Thank you for tucking me in, dancing with me in the kitchen, and taking me for All-American meals.  Thank you for all the time you devoted to me to guarantee I never felt alone.

Thank you for taking in all my crazy ideas, never dismissing me. Because of that, I grew to believe in myself and dream big.  Thank you for showing me how to take care of a family, while reminding me that there’s an entire world outside of the home and I can do anything.  When Nick was born, I was overwhelmed and depressed and I’m forever thankful to you for taking him while I slept and showing me the beauty in staying home for his first year of life.

Thank you for teaching me that family comes first before anything or anyone else.  Period.

Thank you for sharing your name with me.

Thank you for all the sacrifices you made so that I would never miss out on anything and for filling my life with joy so that I never knew we lacked “things.”  Thank you for making me spend the night at Grandma’s, because I didn’t fully realize that people aren’t with us forever and we should treasure the time we have with them.  Thank you for listening to my never-ending chatter.  I now know exactly what that felt like and I don’t know how I’m going to be as patient as you were.

Thank you for speaking to me like an adult, never talking down to me or using baby talk.  Thank you for treating me as your equal, even as a child, while never letting me forget that you are the parent.

Thank you for loving my children as much as you love me and for loving and accepting my husband as an important part of the family.

I love you so much and hope that I can teach my boys the same lessons you taught with me, and with your guidance, even more.

Love,

Rhonda