For Tristan on your graduation day

Dear Tristan,

It seems like yesterday that we brought you home from the hospital, and now you are my little man. It took a while for me to come to terms with the fact that I was a mother and was going to be one forever. But today after twelve years of looking back, I cannot help but smile. It is a feeling of fulfillment beyond words. Although I am still not sure if I am a great mother, I feel that I have done some justice to the role.

Every milestone of yours was a kind of personal victory for me. Your first smile, your first word, your first step…. I was just amazed and once again overwhelmed at what a little miracle you are.

And I can’t believe that soon I will be standing there watching you walk across a stage to be handed your grade school diploma. You’ve worked so hard to get to this point. I’m proud of you. You began this life as a beautiful baby boy but grew up to be a handsome young man. Today is your day to shine. I don’t know how to tell or show you how proud I am of you.

I’m glad that we have the mother & son relationship that is very rare and far between, and that you know you can trust me and talk to me about anything.

I’m not the perfect the mother, I’ve made my mistakes and I know those mistakes have hurt you and I’m so sorry and I hope you can forgive me for those. But I know one thing that I don’t regret is having you when I did, I’m honored to be the one who saw your first step, hear your first words, there’s so many things that I’ve watched you do that was just a surprise to me.

I know that you will go far in this life, you deserve the best this world can give you and I know that you will get it. Even though today is the day I have to let you go to discover the world on your own, please know that I’ll be with you no matter where you go and that I’ll be there anytime and anywhere you may need me. You are my heart, my soul, my life, and my world. I love you my son very much and thank you for the best 12 years of my life.

I Love You,
Mom