Dear Mom,

I consider myself incredibly lucky to be loved by you. You were an amazing mom to grow up with and learn from. And unlike some people, I never once doubted your love for me. You are still the strongest woman I know. All my best qualities I either inherited, or learned, from you. Every time I make one of our unwritten recipes I smile remembering us in the kitchen and hearing you say I’ll get the hang of it and eventually I’ll “just know” when I have put in the right amount of whatever ingredient. I know you never ever wanted to be in the particular situation we find ourselves in now but I also know it’s not in you to just crawl into bed and give up. I feel blessed to be able to care for you now as well as you cared for me (let’s be honest with a different mother I may not have seen my 3rd birthday). I miss your hugs. I miss your handwriting. I live for the days when your fantastic sense of humor makes an appearance and we get to laugh like we have done since I was a small. I wish my son had more time with the super fun Grammy I know you had every intention of being, but I treasure those first years and the photos we have to remind us. All of our past adventures will just have to sustain us. Thanks for the memories, Momma. Thanks for the love.

Your grateful and loving daughter, Molly