To All Those Who Came Before

We are each a mosaic of you. We have been pieced together with all the bits of you that you didn't know we were watching. You are strength and wisdom. Fire and ice. You have taught us to love passionately, and feel anger fiercely because no emotion is worth feeling if it isn't felt through every cell in your body.

We came from you. We are born from you and carry your blood in our veins. When we stomp our feet and raise our voices you smile and say "you are just like me." You have raised a few fine young women.

It is you who carries the weight of your family on your shoulders. You who bares everyone's criticism. It is us, your little girls, watching you wide eyed from the sidelines thinking--one day we'll be just like you.

You have taught us to bear our pain effortlessly, but not silently. To be kind and fair, but never let anyone take our kindness for granted. You taught us of virtues, and creativity.

You are the definition of woman. From womb through adolescents to adulthood, you have taught us that we were born to lead. You have taught us the meaning of a firm but gentle hand. You have taught us how to be loud but that there are moments best for silence.

And we are you.

I hope we make you proud.