day 3 — your parents

Dearest Madre,

Where can I begin to tell everyone how amazing you are? Thru my childhood, we werent always the richest, we werent always in one place for a long time, we didnt always have the nicest things and we werent always 100% happy, but you did ALL you could for me and Travis when times were tough. You made sure we had food on the table, clothes on our back, a car to get back and forth from point A to point B with, and you made sure to let us know HOW MUCH you loved us.. Dad had a gambling problem, a drug problem and wasnt always the smartest when it came to family but there were times when we were all HAPPY for a moment and those are some of the best times I remember. We struggled more than a lot of my friends' families but when I was smaller I thought it was normal. To me, I thought it was fine b/c I had you, dad and Travis, and of course my FAVE Cabbage Patch doll Maggie Delta... Lol As I grew up, I realized that some of these problems we had werent ok BUT I promised myself that when I had kids, I was going to try and be like you and make them HAPPY no matter what kind of sitation I was in. Times are hard and I know you did the best you could and thats ALL that matters.

After dad passed, I thought we were all going to lose it. I missed him SO much and I didnt think we would be ok for a while.. I thought that you may have a nervous break down or have a broken heart forever, but you have showed how tough you are in front of us all and have carried us more than you know. You have helped me realize that even though someone so IMPORTANT can be gone in an instance, you can still love life and go on. You still do EVERYTHING you can for me, Travis, Amamnda, Dave and SOON TO BE HERE, Noah and you still stay strong even though I know it's probably tough without dad around. You were with him for 31 yrs and I cant imagine losing someone that I was SO in tune with and SO in love with for THAT long... Its still hard for me to be COMPLETELY ok even after a 2 yr on and off relationship that I had, (I am better but you cant help who you love I guess right?). You and dad had your CRAZY IN LOVE stages when you were younger and even when you were older. You fought, he always drove you crazy, and you wanted to KILL him sometimes, but you loved him UNCONDTIONALLY, you have loved ALL of us uncondtionally. You put up with a lot from us and somehow you were pretty much the ONLY one that stayed SEMI sane in the house. Lol. 5 dogs, 8 cats, and 5 people later, you still are the strongest woman I know and I love you for how you have dealt with SO much for SO long. :) You are the best mom anyone could have b/c no matter what ALL you have done with your life is love others.. I love you mom.

<3