Dear Mom

Hi Mama,

I know we talk every day and I come home every few weeks to see you and the rest of the family, but I feel like I don’t tell you enough how much you mean to me.

I know you’ve been going through a lot lately, and my crazy life doesn’t really help much. Despite what you’re dealing with, you’ve been such a trooper. You’re still ready to jump and help anybody who needs it, you’re still there cooking family dinner, you’re still being a kick ass Nana; you’re doing everything, and then some.

I feel like with me in college, I’ve taken advantage of the ease of having you right downstairs when I needed you. I go to the cafeteria to get some chili for dinner and all I want is yours. I do my laundry and I want the smell of whatever detergent you buy. I miss having to pick up your massive purse out of my chair every single time I sit down because, for some reason, that’s where you like to store it. I even miss you constantly nagging me. You were always popping your head in my room or texting me reminders of things I need to have done. Now, I’m not saying you don’t still do that, but it isn’t the same.

You drive me insane, but that’s okay. I’m your rambunctious daughter and you’re my crazy mom and that’s why we work so well.

At school when I talk about my family, everybody knows who Barb and Mike are. They know how much I love you and how close I am to you guys.

Being in college, I’ve grown exponentially closer to you and Dad. Now, I tell you my plans for the weekend, no matter what they are. When I’m having problems with boys, you know the details, even if you’d rather not. You know all of my friends by name despite having only met a few of them once, and some not at all.  You are always right there to listen to me complain when something happens and you’re always willing to listen to the not-so-nice words that happen to come out during those times. You’re there to tell me when I’m acting crazy, and you’re there to remind me what I’m really here for. As I’m growing older, I’m beginning to understand why you do things the way you do.

You know how big my goals are, and you won’t let me or anybody else forget how capable I am of achieving them. You have always been my biggest fan, no matter what the occasion. You were there cheering me on at every single concert I’ve ever had (we’re almost to the 100 mark at this point). You went to my rugby games while I could still play. When I started struggling and let my grades slip, you reminded me that my GPA wasn’t everything, that no matter what I was dealing with, it was my happiness that mattered.

You reminded me, and continue to remind me every day, that no matter what might be in my way, I can get through it. You’ve stuck through the countless doctors and psychiatrists that I’ve gone through, you’ve sat at my side during the many hospital visits I’ve had, you've nursed me back to health after every injury, and I've had a lot. You remind me that my mental illnesses don’t define me, but rather they mold me and help me evolve.

Growing up has been hard and I have an extremely long road ahead of me, but I know that you’ll be there every step of the way. I used to not appreciate the things you did, but now I can’t imagine my life without them. It’s hard not having my mom right at my side, but I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to talk to you every single day. I’m lucky to be able to go home as often as I do.

Us girls are just lucky to have you in our lives, so do me a favor and stick around for a while longer.

I love you Mama,

Katie Bug