Happy Birthday Mom

For drying my tears and wiping my nose,

For not losing your temper when I cried for every family picture,

For letting me play sports, even when we couldn't afford it,

For going to all my games, even in the rain.

For telling me you were proud of me, so I never had to wonder,

For not giving me everything, so I didn't grow up spoiled,

For working hard every day to give me what you could,

For being both mom and dad and doing it well,

For sacrificing, always sacrificing, for me.

For being happy when I was happy,

For being sad when I was sad,

For wanting to protect me, even when you couldn't,

For being there for every big moment of my life,

For being there for the smaller moments too.

For letting me vent when I feel stressed out,

For not holding things against me,

For loving me for who I am and not wanting to change me,

For moving half way across country to live closer,

For being my best friend...

For being the greatest mom any kid could ever ask for,

Thank you,

I love you,

Happy Birthday Mom.

Original poem written for my mom, for her 67^th Birthday! 09/02/09