Dear Mother,

To me, you are the most wonderful person on this earth. I don't think I would be able to go another day without your phone calls and comforting words. Words can't even describe how much I love you. I'm not sure how you do it; put up with my tearful phone calls, and take care of the family back home. You are a wonderful example. Some days I wish I could move back home. You could make me waffles for breakfast, and make me a smoothie just before I went to bed. Or we could watch an old romance on a Saturday morning, and spend the afternoon baking cookies or cupcakes. Oh, and in case you were wondering, I have still not tasted a chocolate chip cookie that is better than yours. And I don't think I ever will. I miss the back rubs you gave me when I was little just before I went to sleep, and how you let me come sleep in your room when I was scared. You helped me get to where I am today. You drove me to swim practices every day until I was 16. You came to just about every swim meet I swam in. You supported me and never doubted my abilities. Now i'm in college and I just miss you. I just want to be back home, but I know that would be weak of me. I know I need to grow up and face my problems on my own. I can't run away. I tell you life is hard and you assure me that everyone goes through what I am going through. It would just be so much easier if I could curl up in your bed and just cry to you until late hours of the night until I felt better.

I love you, mom, and I hope I tell you that enough. I wish I would have taken advantage of all the advice you gave me, and would have listened to you when you told me to put a coat on. But today I have learned. I have learned that you are my rock. You keep me going. I'll admit that you were always right. My whole life; you were right. But why didn't I learn that sooner? I just want to go home.

Love,
Allie