Nicki Smith Photography

I am the epitome of a procrastinator when it comes to long distance gift giving.  So, this is a formal apology to all my friends and family for missing those special days.  I have good intentions.  I write those dates in my planner. And I think of you often on your special day.  But don’t expect a card or gift on the actual day, because I never make it to the post office in time.  Which is why on this day when we honor our mothers, my mom won’t be getting a card or a gift.   I am sorry, Momma.  I hope this post will let you know that my intentions were good and I will be thinking of you and missing you lots on this day (and everyday for that matter).

Dear Mom,

I don’t know if you realize just how much I value our relationship.  I feel so blessed that we are so close.  And I am so grateful for the example you have provided on what a good momma is.  Growing up, I always thought you were so hard on me.  I thought you expected so much from me and you were way too strict with me.  I always had to be home earlier than my friends and for some reason you needed to know exactly who I was going to be running around with every night.  I get it now, Mom.  And I am sorry for giving you a hard time back then.  Thank you for setting those boundaries for me.  You weren’t doing it to be in first place as the world’s most uncool mom.  You did it out of love.  So, now when I tell Duke to stop jumping from the window sill to the bed, I remind him that I say that because I  love him.  And I learned how to love him from you.  You are so great at providing advice to me when I need it and yet you know when to allow me room to figure things out for myself.  I am just getting started in this mothering journey, but there is not a day goes by that I don’t think, “I wonder what mom would do in this situation.”

Thank you so much for the foundation you provided for me and for the wings you gave me.  I remember calling you from my trip down to the Virgin Islands.  I told you I was moving there.  And you encouraged me.  You could have been selfish and told me it was too dangerous or you simply wouldn’t allow it, but you didn’t.  That year that I lived there was life changing and I know that it shaped so much of the person I am today.  So, thank you for allowing me that opportunity and encouraging me to do something bold.

Thank you for showing me what it means to be a mom and for being such an awesome Grammy to my kids.  From the first time you held them, I knew that they held special places in your heart and it makes me heart sing every time I see you with them (just wish that would happen more often).

It’s been fun watching you become a Grammy and seeing you love my kids in a totally different way.  I know it must be fun because you can spoil them and you don’t have to be the bad guy.  You have provided them with a safe place to turn to and that makes me so very happy.  Although running away to Grammy’s house may be a tad tricky unless the kids figure out how to buy plane tickets.

They are lucky to have you for a Grammy.

So, although I can’t be with you on this Mother’s Day, know that your guidance, love, and friendship is in my heart and on my mind every day.  You are an integral part of all our lives.  You are a great momma and I cannot believe how lucky I got when God gave me to you  to raise and guide and encourage and love.  Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.  I love you so very much and miss you all the time.  Thank you for being such a great mom and a wonderful example.