Exclusive Content:

Nurse Adopts NICU Baby Who Didn’t Have Any Visitors for 5 Months

Gisele is the light of Liz Smith's life, and the devoted mom is sharing their unique and heartwarming adoption story of her NICU baby with the world.

15 Little-Known Facts About the Late Princess Diana

Princess Diana, often referred to as the "People's Princess,"...

5-Year-Old Boy’s Quick Thinking Saves His Mother’s Life After a Hiking Accident in Idaho

In a remarkable display of bravery and quick thinking, a 5-year-old boy named Colton Franks recently played a crucial role in saving his mother's life after a horrifying hiking accident in Idaho.

Dear Mom, Now That I’m Older

Dear Mom,

Now that I’m older, I definitely appreciate you a lot more than I did as a kid. I appreciate the little things, from the random text messages to constantly tagging me on Facebook in your “funny” photos and sending me pins of stuff I like on Pinterest. Now that I’m older, I can look back and realize that everything I am is all because of you. You’ve made me strong but realize it’s okay to cry. You’ve shown me how a mother gives everything to her children to give them a better life than she had, even when she’s left with nothing. And, most importantly you’ve taught me to never give up, and without this, I would not be where I am today.

Mom, now that I’m older, I realize that you’re the best friend I’m ever going to have. You cheer me on when I try new things and support me in deciding to be whatever person I want to be. Thank you for never telling me I can’t do something and helping me figure out ways to be the best woman I can be. Your love for me is unconditional. They say true, unconditional love can only come from God, but mom, I think you’re a pretty close second.

Now that I’m older, I don’t get to see you as much. But not seeing you as much just makes the times I do get to see you the absolute best, and I look forward to it every time. Now that I’m older, I’m not going to live at home. But, I promise to always come back because I know the door is always open. Your house is always going to be my home, and no other place is going to be the same.

Now that I’m older, I realize how much I miss you taking care of me. I miss you making me dinner, making sure I was doing well in school and taking me to endless appointments. I miss you waking me up for school and then waking me up again because I didn’t listen the first time.

But, Mom, now that I’m older, I can see all that you’ve done for me. I can look back and see how big of a brat I was but you still loved me (and let me live) anyways. I can understand why you did certain things and frankly, you’re one bada** of a woman.

To have you as my mom and my best friend has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. So, Mom, now that I’m older, thank you, for everything.

Love,

Your Daughter

**This article originally appeared on The Odyssey

Taylor Renner
Taylor Renner
Taylor is a student at the University of Cincinnati. She loves dogs more than humans, and her best friend is Jesus. You can follow her work over on the odyssey online.

Nurse Adopts NICU Baby Who Didn’t Have Any Visitors for 5 Months

Gisele is the light of Liz Smith's life, and the devoted mom is sharing their unique and heartwarming adoption story of her NICU baby with the world.

15 Little-Known Facts About the Late Princess Diana

Princess Diana, often referred to as the "People's Princess," captivated the world with her grace, compassion, and humanitarian efforts. While much of her life...

5-Year-Old Boy’s Quick Thinking Saves His Mother’s Life After a Hiking Accident in Idaho

In a remarkable display of bravery and quick thinking, a 5-year-old boy named Colton Franks recently played a crucial role in saving his mother's life after a horrifying hiking accident in Idaho.