Mother’s Day Open Letter

Dear Ma,

I recently read a quote that said, “Women like you can drown oceans.” I can’t think of a more perfect way to sum up how I feel about you, your presence, your impact. Your strength has been quiet yet consistent, and it’s because you are you that I have become who I am. I don’t think there are any words in the dictionary that can fully capture how I feel about you and the love and appreciation I have for all that you have done for me, and for us, but I will give it my best shot.

I remember you always telling us that you have two hearts – one for each of your children. You showed me what unconditional love looks like and for that I will always appreciate you more than you know. Thank you for accepting me and being committed to understanding me, while also holding me accountable and pushing me to be a better me. Thank you for your patience as we navigate understanding each other, which sometimes has felt as difficult as walking a tightrope for the both of us – you, the first in your family to cross oceans and come to America to create a more promising life for your future children, and me, a first-generation child of immigrants caught between two cultures just trying to figure out where I fit. Even when we’ve been on opposite sides of an issue or struggled to find common ground in our perspectives or experiences, we remained two parts of the same coin and that’s thanks to your commitment to understanding me and meeting me halfway. I know how rare this is, and I don’t take it for granted; it’s just one of the many reasons that I will forever be grateful to have you as my mother.

You make motherhood look innate, seamless, easy and yet I know that it’s been anything but that for you. Thank you for putting on a brave face and for weathering storms both known and unknown to us for the sake of our family, for putting our well-being before yours many a time, and for still never forsaking softness and compassion for us through it all. You are a warrior for a million and one reasons, Mom. The older I get, the more context I gain about some of the battles you were fighting silently while raising us, and as I learn (and often struggle) to find balance in my own life I wonder how you did it all and did it silently, often thanklessly, and still with a smile on your face. I hope you can look at your children now and feel that your sacrifices were worth it! I can’t wait to give you the world, Mom. It’s your turn to sit back now, relax, and be on the receiving end for once. Know that your children have your back forever and even after that. I can only hope that we make you as proud to be our mother as we are to be your kids.

I know how much regret you feel and express for not having been able to be present more in some of our childhood moments, when you were working long hours to build a strong foundation for our family and our future. Although that may have felt confusing or hard when I was younger, I want you to understand how much respect I have for you for never giving up and for never forsaking your dreams and ambitions, as is more commonplace culturally. You showed me firsthand that you can be a committed wife and mother while also building a successful career and living in your purpose. It’s because I had that example of resilience and strength from home from the time I was a little girl that I strive to go after everything I’ve always wanted. You showed me what it means to be versatile and to not shrink the many different parts of yourself just to be more digestible for the world. That means more to me than you know and has made a huge impact in what I’ve believed possible for myself from a young age.

I can go on and on but I’ll end this here by saying, I hope you feel celebrated and special not only today, but every other day of the year. You are truly the heart of this family, and there simply is no me without you. I’m blessed to be your daughter. I love you forever.

With love,

Your Daughter