Dear Mom

Dear Mom,
When I was a little girl you took me to ballet lessons. When I wanted to try tap-dancing, you let me. Then we added jazz, and you were taking me to lessons twice a week. And do you remember every spring, when you sewed my costumes for my dance recitals? Oh! They were so pretty!!!!!!
I remember that you also took my big sister to horse-riding lessons. And shows on the weekends.
And my big brother. You took him lots of places, too. But I never really thought much about all the time you invested in those things.

Then came our surprise. My little brother! That was so much fun!!! Do you remember all the big kids running in and out of, and around the house when you were nursing or trying to get him to sleep? It didn't bother me at the time, but I think I would feel differently about it now.
Oh, and do you remember the day when I was in third grade and I forgot my lunch? I called you and asked you to bring it to school for me. And you did. Miss Fortino gave the lunch to me after music class and said, "Next time, don't make your mom bundle up the baby to bring you lunch. Tell me, and I'll find something for you." Oops! Sorry. I wasn't thinking.
I remember when I was in fifth grade and you went to work to help pay for my brother's college classes. You came home from work and made dinner every night, but I had to start doing A LOT more around the house. And I didn't like it. In fact, I remember when my sister and I complained that the only reason you and Dad had kids was so you wouldn't have to do any work. Ha! I wasn't thinking. Again.

I guess what I mean to say, Mom, is that as and adult - as a Mom! - I appreciate soooooo much what you did for me when I was a little girl. I didn't realize it at the time. I didn't understand how hard you were working - how much you were sacrificing for me and my sister and brothers.

And I just want to say, Thanks!

I love you!