As Mother’s Day approaches, it’s certain to awake all types of emotions from joy to grief and everything in between. This is true for me because my mother passed away two days before Mother’s Day in 2016. Nevertheless, whether or not you know your mother, like or dislike your mother, you must accept one thing — she gave you life. And for that reason alone, you should be thankful.

All my life, in a direct way or indirect way, I have tried to present myself in a manner that would make my mother proud. Now, I would be the first to admit that my mother and I did not see eye to eye on a lot of issues, and we did not have the best relationship, but I’m thankful because of the sacrifices she made for my siblings and me.

Please understand: There’s no earthly substitute for a mother’s love; it’s forgiving and enduring; it never fails or weakens. It is selfless and endless, untiring, zealous, and boundless.

Therefore mothers, I just want to thank you with this letter:

Dear mothers,

Thank you! I cannot think of more appropriate words to say besides those two simple yet powerful words. You are deserving of gratitude every single day for the way you raised your family, you maintained your grace, you balanced schedules, and you blessed others. 

God has been ingrained in your heart and has given you a special trait that gives you the ability to adapt and sacrifice for the welfare of your family and friends. Today and every day, I am thankful for the gift you are: a hero. 

So, let me take this opportunity to say thank you for all you do:

• Thank you for leading your children by example, living an honorable life before them.
• Thank you for staying up all night long wiping your sick child’s runny nose and not thinking it’s gross.
• Thank you for ignoring the numbness in your thigh when your child uses it as a pillow.
• Thank you for cleaning up vomit from the kitchen floor.
• Thank you for sacrificing your favorite part of the chicken to make your child happy.
• Thank you for carrying your tired child despite your bad back.
• Thank you for skipping lunch to save money so your child can take piano lessons.
• Thank you for home-cooked meals after long days at the office.
• Thank you for accepting your child with open arms after they made a mistake.
• Thank you for staying home with your child and skipping the parties on the weekends.
• Thank you for your constant prayers.
• Thank you for showing the world why a woman should never be underestimated.
• Thank you for showing the world how to be strong. 

Thank you for being the woman God made you to be, for you are also everything we aspire to be.

 With a grateful heart,

Dr. Tony