Posted: May 6, 2009 |(0) Comments

Editor's note: Letter was written to writer's mother.

Public Forum:

With a household to maintain and three children already in tow, thank you for welcoming me into the world with open arms. Years of seemingly thankless parenting did not go unappreciated.

Thank you for gentleness when combing my hair, firmness when I crayoned on the walls and silliness when giggles needed an outlet.

There were piano lessons, museum visits and afternoons collecting autumn leaves. Experiencing and exploring opened me to the joys of diving into life.

Thank you for staying calm during situations where most would panic. It taught me composure. Thank you for panicking in situations where most might be calm. It taught me to consider the unexpected effects of my actions.

When my homework or papers were challenging, you brought insight and enthusiasm to my task. You taught me how to love my subject, and I learned my mother was so smart that she was even a little bit cool.

You wanted to know where I would be, and to have a phone number so you could reach me in an emergency. Thanks for knowing what an emergency is and not really using the numbers.

It is difficult for a mother to watch her child make mistakes, but I thank you for holding yourself back when I stumbled. You empowered me to try, and gave me courage to try again, even amid imperfect outcomes. These lessons created fulfillment for me in the living of this unpredictable life.

Thank you for being my cheerleading team, counselor and friend. Thank you for using all you had to be the best parent you could be no matter what else was going on in your world. It made my world, totally.

 

Stephanie Reilly

Bayside