Happy Mother's Day!

Since I've written a good many blog/journal posts in my day, I figured this would be most conducive to the writing process; besides, it allows me to be a lot more free-formed and unstructured in the ways that I tell you I love you. :)

How about I start at the end - cut to the juicy bits, if you will - and work my way up? No one is perfect in this world - people are selfish and greedy, only looking out for themselves. But as far back as I can remember, you were there for me. Maybe it's just a super power that moms have. Or maybe it's just you, but when you have something so rare, it'd be a shame not to appreciate it. So first and foremost, thank you for being a mom in the truest sense of the word. For being caring, dependable, loving, patient, understanding, available. You really are the best.

The last few months have been tough for me, and you probably don't realize it, but I can't wait to move back home. Moving away for college has been a generally positive experience, but I think I'm homesick right now. Sometimes, on a Sunday morning, I'll wake up with so much do, and wish I could just be home with you and Dad and Josh and Natasha and have a bed party. :) No matter where I am, home will always be home, and I think I have you to thank for that. I guess crown moulding doesn't hurt, right? :)

Anyway, my point is that you've held up your part of the bargain splendidly, and honestly, you are the best mom I know. I know we don't compare in this family (hehe), but seriously, of all the people I've meet, never have I thought "wow, I wish this guy's mom could be my mom too." I don't what you did, or why you did it, but you are the model mom; if every mom was like you, you know the world would be a much better place. I think you already knew that, but I think you should hear it from me too: you've had a super-full-time (168 hours/week!) job, and you've managed to be great at it for 22 years. I think someone deserves a promotion. :P

I'm sorry - I really am. I don't really keep my end of the deal too often, and you do deserve better. I know it's not much, but counting this as a "card" will help push things in the right direction. I do love talking to you, but sometimes I get so overwhelmed, and my response is to hide inward rather than search outward for help. But when you say that it's nice to hear my voice, you should know that i like hearing your voice too. It's very comforting, and it makes me feel like everything is going to be alright, even when I'm having a rough week.

So, thanks for always being there mommy. From those rough homework nights in 6th grade to the bribes to get me to swim; from taking me to get stitches on my tongue to helping me parse through ideas for a rhetoric essay on A History of Violence. I hope you have a great Mothers' Day, and I can't wait to see you!

Love,
Nathan