a love letter to my mom.

To be loved by my mother is the greatest gift this universe could give you.

To be loved by her is to be cared for, to be trusted, to be valued, to be questioned (most usually repeatedly).

To be loved by my mother is to feel protected and safe. To feel smart and magical.

If the universe ever gifts you the love of my mother, hold tight. Squeeze onto it until your fingers threaten to snap. This is something that you must not ever lose.

Because to be loved by mother is to come home to your favorite glass filled with wine ready for you to take a sip. To be loved by mother is to have the blankets lathered in dryer sheets so that they smell like home. To be loved by mother is to have all of her.

My mother does not often give up all of herself to just anybody. 

To be loved by mother is to feel such victory when you impress her, to want to constantly try and do so. To be loved by mother is to feel so lucky to lay your head in her lap. 

My mother does not ever lie.

To be loved by mother is to feel believed and belief. To be loved by mother is to say goodnight an extra time just to get a second kiss on the cheek.

To be loved by mother is a dangerous game. The fear of ever losing it almost outweighs the need to ever have it. Almost.

To be loved by mother is to be opened up to the world her childlike eyes stare at in wonder. To be loved by mother is to make wishes and pick up stones on the shoreline. 

My mother feels everything.

To be loved by mother is to feel heard and seen. To be loved by mother is to be offered a favorite snack when she knows it’s been a tough day. 

My mother is the most special gift this universe has ever crafted.

To be loved by my mother is to be selfish and never want to share her, to be jealous when she has to be. To be loved by my mother is to see the beauty in the dirt.

I often ask myself if my mother ever gets to truly feel what she inflicts on others. If she ever feels so safe and protected and valued as she does to those who she loves.

To be loved by mother is to learn how to love.

Because my mother loves me, I have worked so hard to return the admiration she so readily gives.

I am so grateful for this beautiful gift.