My Mother's Day

My mother has done so much for me over the years, as any mother would. I only wish I could truly repay her for it all.

When I was a child, my mother did everything for me. My father wasn't around much, so I spent most of my time with my grandparents. Mommy had to work. Of course, I didn't understand the concept of money when I was three years old, but I knew she loved me. When I was six, we moved to Tennessee, because she had found a job that would better allow her to provide for us. We were on our own.

A single mother's work is never done. She has to pay the bills, clean the house, and help with homework, and I never made it easy for her. I was always a hassle. I never wanted to go to school. I never wanted to do the dishes. I never wanted to clean my room, and I always had to have everything my way. Many nights, she would cook two separate meals, because I didn't like what she was having for dinner.

Once I grew older, I started to realize how difficult I had made her life, and began to try to make it up to her in small ways. I would do the dished or vacuum to surprise her before she got home. Still, those little favors were few and far between. I know I should have done more.

When I was seventeen, we were driving to a graduation event of mine. I have lost track of the details of that trip, except for the phone call. I didn't hear the whole conversation, but I knew before she hung up that something was wrong. She closed her phone, and glanced at me from the driver's seat. I know she had to have seen the confusion in my eyes. It was the doctor, calling to confirm a breast cancer diagnosis. It had only been a month since her last mammogram.

Years have gone by since that day, and it seems like nothing has changed, and everything at the same time. We have been in and out of hospitals and doctor's offices. Now we are at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and I have only one wish. I wish to see my mother fully healthy again, and having the best day of her life.

My mom has a boyfriend, and for Christmas, he bought her a diamond ring. It was perfect, exactly the style she would have chosen herself.

I want to see my mom on her wedding day, standing under a waterfall with poppies in her hair. I want to see her ride off on a Harley into the sunset with the man she loves. I want to see her beautiful white dress flowing in the wind behind them. I want to see her taking a ride on Savannah, her two year old paint. I want to have her with me on my wedding day, standing next to me at the altar.

As wonderful as this place has been in our time of need, I long for the day we leave, to go home together, as one big happy family.