An Open Letter to Mom on Mother's Day...year 3

For the past two years I have written an open letter to my mother on Mother's Day. This year is no exception. Below you will find my letter to my mom for this year.

Dear Mom,
Happy Mother's Day! Pretend that I've made you breakfast or given you a coupon book or something that I used to do when I was little. I always see all of these things people do for their mothers and then wonder if I would have been that creative with Mother's Day presents. I don't think I would have been, but you were the kind of person who would have been happy to have a call or visit and call that the best present ever.

I miss you every day, but days like this always make me miss you more. So much has happened in the past year. Sometimes I can't believe how much has changed. I was thinking the other day that it's been 3 years since I graduated from Ashland. I was so sad during that time. I didn't really realize the extent of it until a few months later when I left for grad school and a lot of things crashed down around me. I hadn't figured out how to be an adult yet, even though I thought I did.

I knew nothing about how to be a successful adult. But I learned. Quickly....and harshly.

Sometimes I wonder what you would have said to me during that time. Would you have been supportive of me? Would you have been frustrated? I tend to think it would have been a mix of the two.

I learned. I went to grad school. I graduated from grad school. I grew up. Grad school changed me more than I thought it would. I barely recognize the girl who entered grad school. I'm so different now than I was then.

I learned how to be an adult. And I hope that I am an adult that you would be proud of.

These past 14 years have had their ups and downs, Mom. Sometimes more downs than ups, it seems.

I've learned so much, even in the past year. I'm learning new things every day. I think the biggest lesson I've learned this year is that I need to take time for myself and get away...and to remember that it's okay to have time when I don't do anything.

Karl graduated from college yesterday. Summa Cum Laude. I'm really proud of him.

It's been a crazy year, that's for sure. 

I hope you're proud of me, Mom. Everyone always tells me you would be.

I love you.

Love,
Michelle