MOM

Brace yourselves, I’m about to gush about my mom.

As always, I should be doing work, but instead, here I am. Today is mother’s day, and as with every other living being with a social media account, I’m here to express mad love to my mom.

My mom was a single mother who uprooted the both of us to immigrate to Canada over 20 years ago. It was the classic tale of leaving behind a huge support system and family we had back home to bring us to a place that would provide me with better opportunities, etc, etc. She had to raise me all by herself, and it still surprises me sometimes that she never broke and just left me somewhere for someone else to deal with me, because raising me was not easy — believe me, I was there, and I remember what an asshole I could be sometimes.

It’s  a little bit sad that it takes a little while for people to grow up and realize all of the sacrifices their parents make for their children, but I’m glad that even though it took me this long, that I know now and recognize everything my mom had to go through to provide for me, in all aspects of the word. She’s always been my number one fan, my biggest supporter, my moral compass, and even at one time (and for a long time) my personal bank account. She, and all of the moms out there are the OG definition of a ride-or-die, and for that, I am SO GRATEFUL.

And even though she’s my only official parent, genetically speaking, I’ve also been incredibly lucky to be surrounded by many other mothers who have treated me like I was one of their own. My titas (aunts), while not biologically family, have helped to define what motherhood, family and unconditional love means to me today. It’s a really incredible thing to know that whenever I’m with any of them, I’m as good as home, because of all of the love they’ve shown me over the years. I’ve learned so much from all of them, and I don’t think I’d be who I am today without them.

I don’t think there’s anything I can say that hasn’t already been said, but if anything, let this be a reminder to appreciate all of the moms in your life, because everyone you know and love was raised by one, and without them, where would we all be?