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MamaBlogga’s July writing project is called “Thanks, Mom” and this is my entry.
I thought that it would be best to write it in the form of a letter.
Dear Mom,
I know that I haven’t always appreciated what you’ve done for me. There have been so many times that I’ve taken you for granted.
Today I wanted to list three things that you did for me for which I will be forever grateful:
- You started teaching me to read when I was four. You didn’t trust the task to others; you took the time to teach me yourself. You had no way of knowing that I would grow up to be a writer or that I would depend so heavily on my reading skill, but I do. If it hadn’t been for your early lessons I might not be able to do what I do today.
- You encouraged me to try different things. If some kind of lesson was being offered in the community, you made sure that I got the opportunity to take it. “She has to discover who she is,” you said, and you were right. I’m sure you remember all the activities that I tried and quit over the years: ballet, art, piano, clarinet, guitar, and probably many others that I can’t even think of now.
- You took the effort to make life fun. You showed me that there was more to life than chores and work. I still remember the Halloween parties you planned, the Easter egg trees you made, the homemade valentines, and the glitter angel that we made together. Perhaps it was your extra efforts in this area that has taught me to look for contentment in whatever circumstances I find myself.
Mom, thank-you for all that you’ve given to me. I will always and forever be your daughter.
Note: My mom passed away four years ago. She is beyond needing to read this letter now, but I very much wish that I could give it to her. We weren’t always close, but before she died I came to love and appreciate her in new ways. Cherish your mothers while you have them because you never know when they will be taken from you.
Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.
26 responses so far ↓
1 Homemom3 // Jul 25, 2007 at 7:47 am
such a lovely letter. I plan on submitting to that carnival the next time around. Thanks for giving us all those links, it should be a lot of fun.
2 Laura // Jul 25, 2007 at 11:14 am
Thanks Homemom3!
3 Jordan (MamaBlogga) // Jul 25, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Thank you for sharing this. Obviously you had a great childhood with a wonderful mother. I’m sorry she’s gone.
Thank you for participating.
4 July GWP Days Two and Three | MamaBlogga // Jul 25, 2007 at 8:39 pm
[…] Thanks, Mom! by Laura Spencer […]
5 Laura // Jul 25, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Thanks Jordan!
I think my childhood was fairly average. These are the good things, but there were other times too. I do still miss her.
6 Lynnae (From Under the Clutter) // Jul 25, 2007 at 10:37 pm
I’m so sorry your mom is no longer with you. What a beautiful tribute to her!
7 Kate // Jul 26, 2007 at 1:55 am
My mother did all three of those things for me too and I have never thought of articulating them the way you did. Thank you for the insight.
8 Laura // Jul 26, 2007 at 7:08 am
Kate,
If your mom is still alive, I’d write them out and give it to her. If not, you can still benefit from writing them out. I found the exercise to be sort of a release.
9 Deb // Jul 26, 2007 at 7:46 am
What a beautiful letter. It sounds like your mom was a very special person – I’m sorry she’s gone.
10 Laura // Jul 26, 2007 at 11:25 am
Thanks Lynnae and Deb!
I do miss my mom, but that’s not why I included that she was gone. I mainly felt that I had to be upfront about that since I was writing in the form of a letter. I didn’t want to mislead anyone into thinking that my mom could actually get the letter.
11 mommyzabs // Jul 26, 2007 at 11:36 pm
“Cherish your mothers while you have them because you never know when they will be taken from you.”
So very true. I love the things you appreciate your mom for. Thank you for sharing.
12 summershine // Jul 27, 2007 at 7:59 am
Thanks for the reminder to cherish what we have when we have it.
13 Laura // Jul 27, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Thanks mommyzabs and summershine!
14 Christine // Jul 28, 2007 at 11:52 pm
I am so sorry for your loss. How true it is to cherish the loved ones with us now, while they are with us.
Thank you for this reminder.
15 Corey // Jul 30, 2007 at 12:27 am
Beautiful letter! Thanks for sharing it with us. I appreciate the reminder.
16 July Group Writing Project Finale | MamaBlogga // Jul 30, 2007 at 11:03 am
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17 Mama Bloggas July Group Writing Project Links. at Mommy Zabs // Jul 30, 2007 at 3:27 pm
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18 July Writing Group… » The Life of a School Bus Driver! // Jul 30, 2007 at 4:06 pm
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19 Mama Bloggas July Group Writing Project Links. « homeschooling diva // Jul 30, 2007 at 7:44 pm
[…] Thanks, Mom! by Laura Spencer […]
20 MamaBlogga's Group Writing Project // Jul 30, 2007 at 7:46 pm
[…] Thanks, Mom! by Laura Spencer […]
21 Spreading the love « Musings of a southern girl at heart // Jul 30, 2007 at 10:19 pm
[…] Thanks, Mom! by Laura Spencer […]
22 southerngirlmusings // Jul 30, 2007 at 10:59 pm
Thanks for sharing your letter. My mom did those things as well and it helped shape me into who I am today. Thanks for the reminder about cherishing.
23 Links You Should Read :: Mommy Babble // Jul 31, 2007 at 10:12 am
[…] Thanks, Mom! by Laura Spencer […]
24 Laura // Jul 31, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Hi Christine, Corey, and southerngirlmusings. I’m glad that you liked my entry.
25 July Group Writing Project « Raising boys - and how they raise me! // Jul 31, 2007 at 5:27 pm
[…] Thanks, Mom! by Laura Spencer […]
26 Mama Bloggas July Group Writing Project Links. // Sep 30, 2010 at 12:19 pm
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