Mom, I’ve always known your love for me. Every day. Since I can remember. I am immensely grateful to have known your love my entire existence in this world. I’ve known your love no matter the space and time away from each other. I’ve moved away from home and have subsequently moved several times since then only to return home get married and to start a family. I didn’t understand and probably couldn’t comprehend the depths of your love until well into adulthood and more specifically when I became a mother.
Food = Love
There were countless times when I lived away that you either knowingly or unknowingly catered full meals and/or dishes for me. Your food has been served in any place that I have called home with others with who I have eaten and shared meals with. The amount of food that you’ve shipped to me over the years is astounding. Meche’s king cakes accompanied me at a Mardi Gras party in Amarillo and I can’t even tell you the amount of gumbo served and shared by me. You don’t only do that for me. You do it for everyone you know and love. You would do it for anyone who asks. Plenty of times someone would ask for a specific dish again and I would snicker. Nah, I didn’t make that – my mom did. You are that good, mama – the dry ice shipping queen. My college roommate always wanted Evangeline maid bread and it never failed, I had it for her upon my return back to the dorm. Thank you.
Mama – You are essential
Mom, you are essential to our family and your own family. I have always felt and known your presence in my life. I know how much you pray and have prayed and will continue to pray, hope for, and believe in me. There are no words to sum that up. The unseen and unheard sacrifices aren’t lost on me. Your contributions to my family are countless. Our daily phone calls/Facetimes are integral and important – I mean “Mom, what do you think” has to be the most frequently asked question, right? You are the person who gets the good and the bad and you keep showing up every. single. time. You help without being asked. You cook when I can’t or don’t want to. Your advice is always heard. You are my calm.
Unconditional love
Years ago I remember coming to you with some “huge” issue (God knows there is always one of those) and saying that “no one loves me” or something similar. You responded with “When no one else in the world is gonna love you, I will Christina.” There aren’t words to express my gratitude for your love of me, Cortney, and Evie. We love you.
I am a better mother because of you.
I am a better friend because of you.
I am a better employee and colleague because of you.
I am a better community member because of you.
The best parts of me are from you.
