It is the time of the year again when we have this beautiful opportunity to give back to people who have given us so much without expecting anything in return—our mothers. So, to my ever loving Mama, this letter is for you. You had me at 19. I don’t want to look at it like I took anything away from you or rushed you into something you were not prepared for or even forced you to grow up because the truth is we grew up together. There were times we didn’t know who raised whom and that made us more special, Mom. You keep reminding me that of all the wrong decisions you made in life, I’m the only thing that felt right. If that’s the case then, I didn’t ruin your life. I started it. When I was 19, I graduated from college. When you were 19, you gave up college for me. When I was 19, I was busy figuring out how to find a job so I could buy material stuff that I thought would make me happy. When you were 19, you were busy looking after me, spending sleepless nights just so I could sleep comfortably. When I was 19, I was having the time of my life, only thinking what to buy the next payday. When you were 19, you didn’t even have the time to look at yourself in the mirror or check if what you were wearing was okay. I became selfish, yet you are the most selfless person I know. I did absolutely nothing to deserve you—you, who always see the good in people; you who even on the bleakest day showed me a ray of hope; and you who has relentlessly shielded me from all that was bitter in life. And I thank God every day for being born into your good graces. I know raising me wasn’t easy. Sometimes my words and actions proved unlovable but you love me anyway. I just want you to know that nothing you have ever done for me has gone unnoticed. It’s just here, buried deep in my heart. We are not well-off but you and Papa made sure that I’d have a comfortable life growing up. I can’t thank you both enough for that. How you make ends meet, all the while fighting your way through your own struggles, is beyond me. I couldn’t ask for better parents. I always remind myself of that with whatever I do, so whenever I feel like giving up, I see your faces and they keep me going. We may not be a perfect, conventional family but the love you both give me never falls short. It was in 2007 when you decided to work abroad for our future. You knew nothing when you left. What you know best is being a mother. Yet, you found your way around, learned things on your own, worked harder so you could give me financial support. There was a price to pay, too: You weren’t there when I graduated from high school with flying colors but I knew you were cheering for me across the miles. You weren’t there when I received my acceptance letter from university but you immediately called just to tell me how proud you were of me. You weren’t there when I first got into a serious relationship but you always guided me along the way. You were never a strict mother. Although you tried to set boundaries and limitations, they were reasonable. You trusted me enough to handle things maturely. Some may question the way you raised me but Mom, I don’t. Those were the sacrifices you made for me, for us. We may have missed 10 Christmases, 10 birthdays, and 10 Mother’s Day celebrations, but our constant communication more than made up for them. Never did you make me feel that you missed out on these important events of my life. You’re always there for me, Ma. Despite the distance, despite the time we have spent away from each other, never have I felt like we have ever grown apart. On the contrary, we are growing closer. You are compassionate, understanding, and kind. Yours is a heart of gold. You’ve always supported every dream or goal of mine, regardless of how unattainable and ridiculous they may have been. I remember how equally heartbroken you were when I failed the final interview for my dream job. You let me cry my heart out that day but then told me to stand up because you were still proud of me no matter what. That’s what keeps me chasing after that dream. Thank you for being a good example of strength, compassion, love, faith, honesty, sacrifice, and a million other things. Thank you for being my confidante, my best friend, my go-to person for anything good or bad that happens to me—who listens to my every rant and every delight. Thank you for always being there when I need you. Thank you for pushing me to be a better version of myself, for encouraging me to keep dreaming, to keep living. There are a lot of things I should be thankful for. And writing this letter won’t be enough.  Nevertheless, I just want to take this opportunity to thank you for all your warmth and greatness. Thank you for making me feel that if anything goes wrong, I still have you by my side, your arms wide open as a shield from what threatens me. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. Or just for loving me. Period. And before I forget, Ma, I still want to be you when I grow up. I love you. Always. — Ling