A Letter To My Mother

Dear Mummy,

I know we don’t really celebrate Mother’s Day in our household… or birthdays or anniversaries or anything really, but I’m going to take this opportunity to type some words that I’m too shy to ever say to you in person.

I love you.

That’s silly, right? I mean other people say, “I love you” to their moms all the time. I know I text it to my friends here and there without a thought, but to the person that I actually love—that’s you, by the way—it’s always harder for me to express my true feelings. So I’ll do it here through a medium I’m more comfortable with. An itty bitty blog post.

I love you, Mummy. You gave and continue to give up so much for me and my siblings and my dad. Even though we’re adults of our own now, you still hug and kiss us when we’re sad. You still go out of your way to cook us fresh dinners in the evening and special breakfasts on the weekends. You still call and text us to see when we’ll arrive home. You still check on us to make sure we prayed. And though I complained about a lot of those things… I secretly really, really appreciated it.

I love you, Mummy. Even when I act like a jerk and allow horrible words to spill out of my mouth, you forgive me before I even come to my senses. Like a fool, I’ll ask if you’re mad at me, and you opt to accept my apology with open arms. Time and time and time again. You helped me get to my best, and you dealt with me at my worst, and nevertheless you still love me all the same.

And I love you too, Mummy. Even though I don’t say it enough. Even though I don’t show it enough. Even though I quote the verses to my Sunday school students about never saying “uff” to your parents and loving your mother, your mother, and your mother yet I break the rules the very next second. (Shouts to Awkward Muslim for the pretty graphic.)

“And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], “uff,” and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.” —Qur’an 17:23

I want to let you know Mummy – I’m working on it. For real this time.

Love always,
Your Daughter