To the woman on my journey who showed me the ways to go and not to go, whose strength and compassion held up a torch of light and beckoned me to follow. To the woman on my journey who showed me how to live and how not to live, whose grace, success and gratitude took me to a different phase of life......a phase I loved being in. To the woman on my journey, who showed me what I am and what I am not, whose love, encouragement and confidence held me tenderly and nudged me gently. To the woman on my journey who taught me love by means of both darkness and light. 

To that very woman..........I say BLESS YOU and THANK YOU from the depths of my heart, for I am who I am through your joy and through your sacrifice!! 

Words will never...ever be enough!!
             
Dear Mom, 

I know it wasn't always easy and that I may not always have been the best daughter I could, but I want to thank you for bringing me into this world and  raising me.  

We've had our good times when we've laughed together. We've had our bad times when we cried together. We've had our angry times when we yelled at each other. We've had our tough times and we've had our prosperous times. You always put Zarine and me first and made sure we were cared for. 

I learned compassion from you. I learned honesty from you. I learned to smile in the face of adversity and that all my problems would eventually pass. I learned to be grateful for what I have. I learned there are good and bad consequences for my actions and that I must consider be prepared to accept those consequences before I act. I learned to treat other people as I want to be treated. You taught me how to be a good person. 

You were always there to pick me up when I fell. You were always there to wipe  away any tears. You provided encouragement when I needed it. You let me make my  own mistakes and learn from them. You let me be my own person. You supported me no matter what I chose to do in life. You shielded me from the harsh side of life. You provided me with the tools to face life.  

What I am today, Mom. I owe it to you. You have always been the anchor in my life. The one constant that I can always rely on. I hope I've made you proud.

I love you, Mom.