As a mother myself, I know the range of emotions and feelings that you go through in raising children. You feel their joy and happiness, their pain and sorrow. There is no better feeling on this earth then to hold your child in your arms and feel their arms return the embrace with that small head resting on your body. It is a comfort for a child to be held by their mother: a safe haven, warmth and love. It is our reward as a Mother.

As we grow, that feeling never disappears. Unfortunately, we don't hold onto Mom as we did when we were young. The embraces become a rarity, birthdays, Christmas, Mother's Day. The words "I love you" also fade away into thoughts. We know they should be voiced all the time, but we have a tendency to think "I'll tell her tomorrow", or "she knows". But the voiced words mean so much. To hear your child, no matter how old, say "I love you Mom" means so much. We don't require much from our children. We take the backseat to others as they grow older. We "know" they love us. But it's so very nice to hear them say it.

When our children go off into the world and make their lives, we are often left in the outer circle of their new lives. That in itself, can be painful. But we raised them, taught them to be independent. When that independence comes, it is usually MOM who is the first to feel the emptiness. Where did my child go? The little one who always ran to me with the problems (a booboo, to tattle, to find lost things, to cry) and for a hug to make it all better. It happens so fast. The child grows into an adult. They may marry and start their own family, or find a career. They have friends you don't know, or barely know. Not like when they were little and you knew everyone. They grow into the kind of adult you had hoped they would: strong, independent, compassionate, responsible; good people. But, when they have pain and sorrows in their lives, they still call Mom. No one else in the world is on their side as much as Mom. She still has the knack for making you feel better. She listens to your troubles and offers her advice and unspoken love. At that moment, Mom is MOM again. She feels needed by her child, no matter their age.

Sometimes Mom may get tired of hearing the same problems over and over again, but nonetheless, she listens and again offers her advice, maybe in a stronger tone due to her frustration. She may seem angry at times, but that's only because she may feel unable to help you. She can't kiss the booboo and make it go away. Though, if she could, she would. She would die for you, no hesitation!

As I grow older, I am amazed at how much alike we are. We are both strong women, independent, with an attitude at times like "the hell with what anyone thinks. I will live my life my way, and if nobody likes it, too bad." We are both comfortable in the solitude of our lives. Though, if given the right circumstances, and perhaps the right person, I think we would both like more. But we accept our lives as they are. No complaints (well, maybe a few once in a while).

Mom, your role in my life is twofold: you are my mother and my best friend. You always have been. You have always made me feel good about myself. You helped make me into the woman I am, and for that I thank you.