Dear Mom,

I’ve been thinking about you so much lately. Sometimes the memories come in soft waves, and other times, they hit hard—raw and full of all the love I still carry for you.

Since you’ve been gone, there have been so many moments I’ve wanted to share with you. Some have been beautiful, others difficult, and in every one, I’ve wished you were here. I miss how you made even the simplest days feel full of warmth. You had a way of grounding me, reminding me what truly mattered.

There’s so much I wish I had said more often: Thank you. I love you. I’m proud to be your child. You gave me more than I ever realized at the time—your love, your time, your quiet sacrifices. Now that you’re gone, I see so clearly how much of you lives in me.

You loved me so unconditionally, even when I made things hard. I still remember those rushed mornings—me waking up late, you running behind for work, the stress spilling out in sharp words. But even then, you never let a day start without reminding me I was loved. You’d apologize for raising your voice, even when it wasn’t your fault. That was you—always putting my heart before your own.

I’ll never forget the year I was on maternity leave with Graysen. You basically moved in without hesitation. You were there for everything: the exhaustion, the joy, the long nights. You carried me through it all. I will hold that time in my heart forever. You showed me what true support looks like, what being a mother truly means.

And this past year, after Kenji was born, became even more precious than I realized in the moment. We had so much time together. Watching you with my boys, hearing your laughter in our home, seeing how deeply you loved them—it brought me so much joy. 

I wish I could hug you again and say how deeply grateful I am—for everything you did, for everything you were. 

Thank you, Mom. For your love. For your sacrifices. For the time and care you gave so freely. I carry your memory with me every day. I see pieces of you in Graysen and Kenji. What a beautiful legacy you’ve left.

I love you, always.