A thank you note on your one year anniversary.

Thank you for teaching me that women are BAD ASS and can do anything that they want in life.

Thank you for showing me that racism has no place in life.

Thank you for sharing your vulnerable stories with me.

Thank you for making me laugh more times than I can remember.

Thank you for the little gifts you gave, or the cards you wrote. The simple things mattered the most with you.

Thank you for all the trips to the family cabin. Even though I hated going as a child (because I’d miss all my friends), I truly cherish those memories.

Thank you for understanding that I had to be the COOLEST person in middle school.

Thank you for showing up to ALL of my soccer games. You never missed one.

Thank you for paving my way in social work. Women like you set a tone.

Thank you for all of the sacrifices you made for me.

Thank you for trying to break the cycle. I know its not easy.

Thank you for teaching me to advocate for my rights as a woman.

Thank you for keeping your tv on at night and your bedroom door open when I was too scared to go to sleep.

Thank you for teaching me to take no shit. Not now. Not ever.

Thank you for loving me in the best way you knew how. Because you were never shown.

Thank you for holding on as long as you did. I know it was not easy.

Thank you for being my mom.

I should have said all of these things when you were alive. I miss and love you mom.