An Open Letter to My Mom: Why I'm Thankful for You

I'm grateful you're still with me

When we were growing up, it seemed like you were always working or out of town or otherwise occupied. For years it was just me and Dad, but even when he passed away last year, I never doubted you'd be there if I needed you.

Not many moms could've handled that kind of tragedy without losing their cool. I know you miss him as much as I do, so thank you for holding it together and being a rock of strength. We're all coping in our own way -– especially with my younger brother adding extra pressure to find work—but we'll get through it together.

Even though a few more gray hairs are creeping into your hair, your smile lights up my day and makes everything okay again. Love ya mom!

Love you, Mom!

Though we often take our mothers for granted, they are there when we need them most. Whether it's comforting us after a rough day or helping us with homework, moms do so much. On Mother's Day, it's a good idea to spend some time reflecting on just how much your mom means to you—and thank her.

To get you started, check out these tips and examples of how you can show your mom how thankful you are today.

A thank you for everything you did

As an adult, it's easy to forget what life was like before you launched your career. You take your current success for granted, and it's hard to think about all of your mom's sacrifices that allowed you to live your own dream.

That being said, don't underestimate her influence on who you are today—or how much she deserves some gratitude. If you're thankful enough, write a letter as if she were receiving it herself.

It'll help remind her just how special she is, and also give her some perspective on everything she's accomplished in raising children on her own while pursuing a career of her own.

And don't worry if words fail; there are other ways to show love like taking care of home repairs or cooking dinner every now and then!

We love you so much and we miss you

When you're young, it's hard to imagine a world without your parents. Then one day you do have to imagine it and suddenly it doesn't seem so bad.

Parents have a big jobs, but nobody is perfect and they sometimes screw up. When that happens, just remind yourself of how much they love you and how important you are in their lives. Everyone makes mistakes, but that doesn't mean they don't love you or care about making things right.

Of course, they want to be good parents - because they want what's best for their kids. And thank goodness! If not them, who else would ensure we eat our vegetables and brush our teeth regularly?

Thanks for being the best grandma ever

It may sound cliché, but my grandma is one of my favorite people. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for me, and even though we live in different cities, we get together as often as possible. If it weren’t for her cooking, I might not even like seafood. Thanks again, Grandma! (And thanks Grandpa too!) 🙂

Only have you in this world

As a mom, you gave your life meaning. There are so many things in life that can be stressful and cause us to lose sight of what really matters. As a parent, it is easy to fall into patterns of being distracted by our own emotions and reactions.

But you have proven that even when we have our own concerns and issues, there is always time for others—even if it means making sacrifices yourself. Your selflessness has had an impact on me throughout my entire life.

Some secret tips I can't tell my mom

* Don't run with scissors * Wear sunscreen * Say no to that extra plate of food at dinner * Always be yourself, even if it feels like everyone else has a better life than you * It's okay if you don't want kids, there's so much out there in life, find your passion and follow it. If someone doesn't like you because of that, they aren't worth your time anyway.

* Finding a partner is difficult but loving someone willing to love you back unconditionally is one of the best feelings in life. Learn from every relationship but never settle. If a relationship isn't good then end it and focus on yourself until you meet someone who loves YOU as much as you love them.