A hero for a mom

"After every slammed door

Came a knock of patience

After every fight
Came forgiveness
After every ‘I’m sorry’
Came a ‘I Understand’
After every tear
Came a shoulder to cry on
After every ‘I want to give up’
Came a ‘you are made for this’
After every ‘I hate this’

Came a ‘it will get better’ 

After every dream I’ve dared to voice
Came a time of giving me wings
After every mountain I’ve overcome
Came a ‘I couldn’t be more proud’

… After every ‘I love you’
Comes ‘I love you more’ 

Today, my hero celebrates what is considered by many to be one of life’s greatest milestones. While I wish I could be there to celebrate with her, I am in the middle of something she has spent the past 20 years preparing me for.

20 years full of laughter, fights, tears, talks, hugs. 20 years of giving me roots within the soil of a beautiful, loving home. 20 years of giving a dreamer like me wings, and the faith to believe they will take me farther than I could ever hope.

Throughout the years, I have gained lessons that will stay with me forever. The tears from my punishments have shown me that what’s for the best will hurt. The hugs after our fights have shown me that no action is unforgiveable. The words you have spoken after a mistake has taught me the importance of courage. The times when you’ve forced me to do the right has taught me the value of honor.

Mom, I’m only at the beginning of this new chapter of my life. I’m just turning that first page you love to remind me of so much. We always say we don’t know the end. But I do know one thing about that last chapter. You will be there. Whether it be in person, or in the values and lessons instilled in me forever. I will not be that person in the future without those values and lessons. Just as I am not the person I am today without your 20 years of teaching and care.

There isn’t a second of my life that you haven’t fully invested in me. And I could not be more grateful. And while words are not merely enough to describe my appreciation, I hope the few I have put down here give a glimpse.


I love you, mom.

Here’s to another 50.

“Mama, you taught me to do the right thing
And now you have to let your baby fly
You’ve given me everything that I will need
To make it through this crazy thing called life. “
-Mama’s Song, Carrie Underwood

“People always say
I have a laugh
Like my mother does
Guess that makes sense
She taught me how to smile
When things get rough

I've got her spirit
She's always got my back
When I look at her
I think, I want to be just like that

When I love, I give it all I've got
Like my mother does
When I'm scared, I bow my head and pray
Like my mother does

When I feel weak and unpretty
I know I'm beautiful and strong
Because I see myself like my mother does

I never met a stranger
that can talk to anyone
Like my mother does
I let my temper fly
And she can walk away
When she's had enough

She sees everybody
For who they really are
I'm so thankful for her guidance
She helped me get this far

When I love I give it all I've got
Like my mother does
When I'm scared, I bow my head and pray
Like my mother does

When I feel weak and unpretty
I know I'm beautiful and strong
Because
I see myself like my mother does

She's a rock
She is grace
She's an angel
She's my heart and soul
She does it all

When I love I give it all I've got
Like my mother does
When I'm scared, I bow my head and pray
Like my mother does

When I'm weak and unpretty
I know I'm beautiful and strong
Because
I see myself like my mother does
Like my mother does

I hear people saying
I'm starting to look like my mother does”
-Like My Mother Does, Lauren Alaina