For my mom

I thought about writing this in an email, but then I thought... as much as it's private between us, it's important for everyone to know just how great you are! It's like I told you... well as far back as I can remember... If I could have chosen anyone in the galaxy to be my mom, I would have chosen you!

Thank you for being so wonderful.
When I stayed with Aimee, it hurt you, and you were still there everyday to pick us up for school, you let me be angry about things I would later realize were ridiculous, thank you. You let me take home stray pets without getting too angry! You let me take home Isabell and then gave Cotton to Gram, which was totally selfish of me... thank you. You threw the best baby shower ever for KT, but it really wasn't for KT it was for me, and I didn't even say thank you, so I am saying it now with ten times more love and appreciation than if I would have said it then. You have taught me so much. The thing I want to say thank you for the most is for being proud of me, and knowing that is one of the biggest priorities in my life... btw-I know you think that is crazy, but how else can you give back to someone who has given you so much?

You have taught me about the person I want to be, the person I get closer and closer to being everyday. So you didn't send patience my way, but it could be worse right?!! (had to throw some humor in!) You really made me believe in myself, especially at the hardest times, when I felt like I hadn't done anything right. You showed me that anyone can do what they put their mind to, that love is more important than anything. So what we weren't rich, we had more than most families will ever have... each other. There is nothing more real than that. Of course there will always be that part of us that wants to be rich!!! But we have what the "walsh's" of the world don't... real life and real love! We don't need to be fake about the way we feel b/c we really are best friends, it was a long time of loving, hurting and learning to get this way... but I think there is no better feeling a daughter could ever wish for! Thank you for wanting to "agree to disagree" I think if a lot of people could agree to that things would be much easier for so many people!

Thank you for all the memories you have helped me collect. Thank you for being you, thank you for being my best friend, and most of all thank you for letting me wait this long to say thank you for all of the wonderful things you do, not just for me... for the world.