Dear Momma,
I wanted to write you a letter and let you know a bit about some feelings I’ve been reflecting on lately. As you know, acclimating to the culture in Niger takes a lot of patience and thought, and I have spent a lot of time contemplating my strengths and weaknesses. I recognize how dependant I am on a solid support system, mainly my family and friends. I have come to accept and embrace this concept, but I realize that you may not know the true extent of my appreciation. I hope this letter will allow you to understand the love, respect, and gratitude I have for my best friend in the world, my mother.
I firmly believe that you will meet people in your life who help you overcome obstacles, inspire you to be a better person, and connect to you on a deeper level – true soulmates. If ever I had a soulmate, it would be you, Momma. You understand me. You have always been my rock, the strongest support I could ever have, from the YWCA through college, and now even continents away. Simply put – I would not be the person I am today if it were not for you.
I recognize how much you must love, trust, and respect me to afford me the privileges of choosing to stay in South Carolina for two years, traveling to Bolivia, Europe, Australia, and Central America, changing my major 4 times across a span of 5 years, continuing to live in Baltimore and try to do things my own way even though I couldn’t afford it, and of course now supporting me in my decision to uproot myself and move to Africa for two years. You once told me that my dreams, aspirations, and experiences have become yours as well, and it makes me happy to know that I am able to share them with you. I know that as long as I can call you my mother, I will never be alone – and that is the biggest comfort I could ever have. Packages, letters, and telephone calls are not even needed for me to appreciate what a supportive, caring, and absolutely incredible person you are.
I am grateful to you for always staying strong and pushing me, even through my doubts and occasional breakdowns. I know I have not always been the most appreciative daughter, but I hope you know that I would give anything to be HALF the mother, friend, woman that you are. I’ve never heard truer words spoken than by a young girl who crawled up into her mother’s bed and said, “You’re so beautiful.”
And I still believe you’re the most beautiful women I’ve ever met.
I love you,
Kira
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
To my amazing daughter! I sit here with tears in my eyes, but continue to marvel at how alike we are. A few weeks ago, I began some letters titled 'Letters to my Daughters' in which I am recalling some of my favorite memories and experiences. Of course, your crawling into bed at age 5 and telling me how beautiful I was, dispite messy hair and bad breath, is among my favorite memories. You know how much I love and respect you. You are an amazing part of me. Love - Mom
wwnctyrKira, what a beautiful letter you wrote to your Mom. She has to be very proud, I know I would.
Take care and much love.rxrui
wow......I'm so excited for you over and over again Kira....so many of your experiences sound like mine in my travel experiences in the DR, Haiti, etc.....thank you for the reminder. It feels good to reminisce and it also feels good to connect to your experience there. I got your facebook post..thanks dear. I will be in touch as frequently as possible and I can't wait to continue reading your blog and imagining myself there with you :)
Oh and by the way...thanks for your letter to your mom...incredibly thoughtful, sincere, and beautifully written :) Love you lady.
Kira, It was so good to talk to you today and we had our own phone line to do it on. You sound real good and excited about your new home, whenever that will be. Stay well and we love you.
Grandpa and Grandma
Post a Comment