Dear mom,

I’m sorry about that time I bit Jillian’s foot. She was just so cute, I couldn’t help myself! The shriek she let out in utter disbelief let me know that what I had just done was wrong. Very wrong. You ran into the room picked her up, rocked her, and asked me what happened. Knowing you probably wouldn’t understand why I did what I did, I looked at you square in the eyes and lied, with disturbing comfort, I might add, “I don’t know.” Thank goodness she didn’t know how to talk yet. You were ready to rush her to the hospital. I’m glad you didn’t. The bite mark on her foot would have given me away. Sorry about that…

I’m sorry about that time at the mall in Ardene. Remember? We were with Auntie Joey and Carli. I was being a brat about something, and saying something not-so-nice to you while we were standing at the cash. The cashier looked uncomfortable. I had clearly gotten on your last nerve. With the mom-like smile you would often get on your face when you were trying to love us but secretly probably wanted to ring our necks, you pinched my butt really hard to get me to smarten up. I screamed out really loudly and foiled your plan to discipline me subtly so as not to make a scene. Whoops. I’m extra sorry about that. I would have done the same thing – I deserved it. I was being a complete brat.

I’m sorry about all those mornings I scared you awake, sticking my nose right up against yours while you were still asleep, and loudly whispering, “Mom……!…… You asleep?” Yeah. That must have been a fun way to wake up.

You got me back, though, mom! And I’m glad you did:

All those times I pretended to be asleep on the couch so that dad would carry me up to bed? I used to shut my eyes moments before the last tv show would end, right before bedtime, in hopes that dad would carry me so I didn’t have to walk, and so that I could skip brushing my teeth (so weird).

But you knew better. You knew what I was up to. And you knew how to get me for it too:

“Who wants chocolate?” you would announce in your sweetest voice. Never able to resist it, my eyes would whip open and I would jump up and yell, “ME!!” But there was never chocolate, was there mom? No. You used my naivety to your advantage. Well played, mom. Well played. You are probably the reason I don’t have cavities today. Made me brush those teeth.

And gosh darn-it – you knew when I was pretending to be sick too! It helped that I didn’t have a fever, nor was I coughing, nor was I congested, nor did my complexion look paler. It also helped that I had a habit of feigning sickness on the days I was supposed to go to piano. You were so smart, mom! You not giving into me is probably the only reason I still play the piano today. Thanks for that!

You were, and still are, a cool, no bs, and always loving mom.

You always believe in me. You always love me, even when I’m not being very lovable. You are always there to listen to me, always willing to lend a helping hand and some advice.

You are the only one who would ever stay up with me at 3am while I’m sick with the stomach flu, stroking my hair and telling me in your tender voice that everything is going to be ok. How you could stomach it, I will never know.

You are the reason I love deeply, without expecting anything in return. You are the reason I have so many sets of Christmas lights. You are the reason I will one day wake my kids up at 3am during a thunderstorm, lead them down to the kitchen, make them ice cream sundaes and sit with them, eating ice cream, while we listen to the storm.

You are the reason I care so much for others.

You are always there when I need you, and even when I don’t.

The example you set as a mother has had a lasting impact on my life, and that legacy will live on in my children, and their children, and their children, and …

Happy Mother’s Day, mama. I love you.

Love always,

Lauren

xxx