Dear Mother

Dear Mother:

I'm writing this because I don't know how to talk to you. We've endured a tumultuous relationship, you and I. In my younger years, I took you for granted. I never stopped to think of how much I put you through as long as I had what I needed. It never really occurred to me that you were my invisible support system. You never turned away, even when I took advantage of you or when I abused and assaulted you. My mind was in a different place and I know that's not an excuse. I'm sorry if I was a burden.

I started to become more aware as a young man. Influenced by outside sources, I began to develop a much greater appreciation for all you'd done for me. It was a learning process and I can only apologize that it took so long. You started showing signs of illness and I grew terribly concerned that our time might be cut short, and I wept. I wept for you and what you mean to me and my siblings. How you opened your heart to us and with equal generosity regardless of how badly you were treated.

Life swept me away from you for a time, and I lost sight of just how important you are to me. I was blinded by busy schedules and mind-numbing redundancy. You know how it is. But your subtle lessons about life never left me. You're there in my thoughts, my actions, my beliefs. Your wisdom is invaluable, your love, immeasurable. I owe you so much. You are my whole reason for being. Without you, I am nothing.

I've grown older and so have you, but you're just as beautiful today as when I first opened my eyes. I have a newfound appreciation for you and all you've done for me and I'm trying to give something back. I wish I could take back all the wrongs, but the past is the past, right? I guess what I'm trying to say is--you are my world.