Dearest Mothership,
You are appreciated. You are loved. Those two things you are not told enough.
I don’t see you as often as I used to. That does not mean
that you do not cross my mind every day, multiple times a day. I miss you mom
and I am not afraid to say that. There are days where a phone call does not cut
it. I will admit that leaving school and driving 10 hours to see you sounds
like a good plan. Then, when I call you, you tell me how that just isn’t
realistic. Even though you tell me you miss me too, you know that school is important.
You need to know that you will never and can never be replaced. I've had some great role models in my life and I still do. None of them will ever be as great of a role model as you are. You have shown me that no matter what you do what you have to do. Even if that means packing up everything you own and moving roughly 600 miles away from your hometown and family. I realize now how hard of a move that was on you. I also realize you did that because you had your family's best interest in mind. I don't blame you (or Dad) for that at all. Don't think your hard work goes unnoticed. For you getting up at 4 am every day is like a walk in the park. Doing this isn't your first choice, but you do it because you have to.
I've realized that in these past few years that you are not only a mom to 3 kids and a dog, but you have family all over the world. Thanks to social media, I have seen what a difference you have made in so many lives. Your family stretches beyond the borders of this nation. You have kids in places such as Serbia, Jamaica, Russia, Dominican Republic, Poland, Macedonia, Romania, and Turkey. I'm sure I could name most of them, but I won't because I can't spell in other languages. You have 30 plus non-biological sons and daughters all over the world, living all sorts of incredible lives! That's not to mention all of you non-biological sons and daughters that live here in the states.
Thank you for giving me your unconditional love and support. All those years that you have sat on the bench at basketball games or drove 160 miles to see me swim. Those years you had just as much dedication to my sports as I did. Then there was those times you slept out in the van so I could attend an awkward middle school dance. Mom, you've done so much. How do I ever repay you? As I get older, I realize more and more how much you have done for me and continue to do for me.
I am proud to say that you are my best friend. Over the years you have been my secret keeper, my therapist, my bank :), my biggest fan, my shoulder to cry on, my motivator, my taxi driver, my doctor, and many more. I know I have been your pain in the butt, your headache, the reason for your tears (happy and sad), your mini me, and things in-between.
I love you mom. Forever and always.
I wont soon forget 2014, but it will eventually end up in a filing cabinet in my mind and wont be accessed until something there is a trigger. This is a year that I can truly say I have discovered more of myself.
I turned 21. As sick as I was that day, I had dinner with my family and had my FIRST alcoholic drink. Yes, first. I made a promise to myself and my parents that I would not drink until I was 21.
Received a job that taught me so many lessons in life that I will be forever thankful for. I do not for one bit regret taking a job a Camp Walden. I learn to be more patient with people. This will be a job that I will never forget. I met some of the most wonderful people here. We've been the most ridiculous, childish, and yet the most responsible and family-like. I will not forget those who I worked and played with. Thanks to you all.
Started my fourth year at Ferris. This was one of the most stressful years at school that I have ever had. Completed my capstone class, campaigns. This was rough. My group and I created an advertising campaign for Pizza Hut and I learned more on how to work with people that have completely opposite personalities as you do.
Applied for what I thought was going to be my dream job/internship and ended up not getting it. That's okay because I am on to bigger and better things!
In the mix of all that I lost what I thought was my best friend. Changes happen and for some reason that was supposed to occur. With that happening, I met some of the most wonderful people. I am forever grateful that they are in my life.
Now here I sit, in a house that is uncomfortably too cold. Waiting for the new years to ring in. I wish you all the best in the your future endeavors. Here's to 2014 and to the coming 2015.
