Letter from a Daughter

Dear World,

Now that I am no longer young, I have friends whose mothers have passed away.

I have heard these sons and daughters say they never fully appreciated their mothers until it was too late to tell them.

I am blessed with a dear mother who is still alive, I appreciate her more each day.

My mother does not change, but I do. As I grow older and wiser, I realize what an extrordinary person she is.

How sad that I am unable to speak these words in her presence, but they flow easily from my pen.

How does a daughter begin to thank her mother for life itself? For the love, patience and just plain hard work that go into raising a child.

For the running after a toddler, for understanding a moody teenager, for tolerating a college student who know everything.

For waiting for the day when a daughter realizes how wise her mother really is?

How does a grown woman thank a mother for continuing to mother? For being ready with adivce or remaining silent when it is most appreciated?

For not saying, I told you so, when she could have uttered those words dozens of times.

For being essentially herself-loving, thoughtful, patient and forgiving.

I do not know how, Dear world, except to ask you to give her everything she deserves-and to help me live up to the example she has set.

I hope that I will look as good in the eyes of my children as my mother looks in mine. 
A daughter.