For my Mom :)

By Michelle Zhang
May 10, 2014


Dearest Mom, 

Happy Mother's Day to the wisest, most caring, most loving mother in the whole world! I mean, I know that everybody says that on Mother's Day, but come on, do you think any of their moms compare to you?

I don't know where I'd be without you, Mom. I know I fought you the whole way here but look! I am finally learning to appreciate everything that you've done for me. Don't think it's gone unnoticed!

I am so glad that I have you here to guide me through this messy, confusing, tiring and stressful life. I love that you keep striving to learn, so that you can pass those lessons down to me. You are always trying new and interesting things, going to new places, aspiring to go to even more unfamiliar places... it is all so admirable! I am so inspired by your independence and your ability to discover adventure in this world. You have always told me that the most important thing to be is to be independent. It's one thing to hear that, but it's another thing to be able to see you doing these things and being such an incredible role model. 

And in the midst of all of that, thank you for still finding the time to take care of me! I love that every time I come home, I can count on you to make my favorite foods, stock the fridge full of my favorite fruits, get me coffee and breakfast, etc. etc. etc. Makes me wish I could come home a lot more often! Thank you for always being available whenever I need you, it is so nice to know that my mom is always there for me no matter what. Thank you for taking the time to write all of your emails, I really do listen to them! I will keep them forever and always look back on them because in the end, there's no one in the world smarter than my mom. You always give me the best advice, and are always striving to open my eyes to the best parts of this world - either through your photos, through the books that you recommend, or through the stories that you tell me when we talk. 

I am so glad that I can always be open and honest with you. You know who I am all the way through, and that is pretty special because I don't think many parents can say that about their relationship with their children. Thank you for always being accepting of who I am, even in the bad times. I - just like you - truly believe that all of the freedom and liberty that you gave me in those earlier years made me into the ambitious, passionate, and unique person that I am today. But at the same time, I can't thank you enough for forcing me to do all of those things that I hated doing as a kid! I honestly cannot tell you how often I look back at things like learning the piano, going to Chinese school, and going to ice skating practice and realize how much of an impact that made on my sense of discipline, willpower, and perseverance. I have learned what it means to dedicate myself to a goal because you made sure that I did it while I was growing up, even though it took time out of your day and made you seem the "bad guy" for a good chunk of my childhood! 

Lastly, thank you for just always making me feel like everything is going to be okay. Ever since I was little, whenever I was worried about something (and even as a kid, I REALLY knew how to worry and stress out!), you would always tell me that it would be okay. Now, you are still the person that I turn to when I need to feel like things are gonna be alright. In the end, I think that is the most important part of being a parent - giving your child that invaluable sense of security. And you are so good at giving me that. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can't say it enough. I love you so much!

 
​Love, 
Chelle-Chelle