Happy Birthday Mother Dearest

As I lie here watching some Grey's Anatomy, it dawned on me, it's my mother's birthday. I was thinking about writing some post on Facebook and posting a picture with some lame caption but it just seemed old and out dated. So instead I figured I'd say thanks. 

Mom, 

Thank you for not giving up on me. I know how difficult I am, shoot I wanna slap myself on certain days. I know I wasn't quite the favorite, nor was I ever the quiet one. You let me know that my voice was heard, even when at times it shouldn't have been ;) 

You pushed me past my breaking point but was always there to piece me back together. You dressed me up in silly outfits, like this one:

 Or even this one:

Because for some profound reason you knew I was a funny one and allowing me in public like this was a blessing to anyone. I'll never forget the time you thought a super fluffy pink dress for pictures was a bright idea. Somehow you got me to put it on, cry for hours, then told the photographer just to take the picture, mom not only was that humiliating, but I learned you were not one to be messed with. 

You stepped up and taught me how to swing a bat and would play catch with me. You coached all my baseball teams, and taught me that just cause it's a boys sport doesn't mean I couldn't show them a thing or two. For crying out loud, you LET ME WRESTLE, and I won. 

You never made any promises you couldn't keep, and never left me empty handed. I was quite greedy and envious of other siblings having more than me, but I never had nothing. 

You've made me cry, but I know I've made you cry more. Once I told you how much I hated you, you took that comment like a BOSS, and instead of raising you voice or hand, you taught me a lesson. You locked me outside the house for what seemed like an eternity. But probably was only 20 minutes. You probably never forgot that, and neither have I. But instead of holding that against me you pushed me to be better. 

You taught me how to be independent but never let me get too far ahead of myself. When I left for college, you let me call almost every night because you knew how much I missed home. 

You've seen me at my lowest of lows and at the highest of highs. You held me tight when dear ones passed, and then smiled and reminded me how much I have to live for in this life. 

Mom, you never let me give up, which is one of the greatest things you've taught me. And you always made sure I knew that you loved me most. Thank you for always telling me to smile. Cause even in the hardest times a simple smile was what kept me going. 

You taught me many, many, things. When I was talking to you tonight, you reminded me that I was anything but ordinary. You always remind me why I need to keep looking for the good because things could always be worse.

My first home run of my high school career was hit on your birthday, it probably doesn't mean anything to you, but all I could think about that day was how cool it was to have that happen. You supported me through all the crazy sports and all my drama that followed. You let me cry to you until you fell asleep, or until neither one of us could handle my runny nose. You let me play basketball with pneumonia because you knew I could "tough it out." And that entire month, I had the games of my life. 

I used to cringe when someone would say "you look just like your mother." But now, I couldn't be more prouder. Except, I feel bad anyone makes a comparison of us because I look like a freaking peterbilt semi, and you...well you're very pretty, smart, and one of the most talented athlete/coach I've met. 

Mommy, I love you, and if I could aspire to be 1/2 the person you are, I would be honored. You say you were blessed when I was born, but really though, I was the one blessed. I was once told, "your mother will be the wisest person you will ever meet." Boy were they right. 

So happy birthday mother dearest. Thank you for the 23 years of support, nagging, love, tears and laughs.

Thank you most, for never letting me give up. Here's to another year of my jokes you don't find funny, to the many more phone calls where I talk for an entire hour, and to the shenagins I pull that make you shake your head. 

May your day be as happy as most people pretend to be on Facebook. ;)

Love your favorite "single" daughter,

Melanie aka MelFlo ;)