To A Special Woman In My Life

Today, my mom is turning 71. So, today's post is dedicated to her. :) 

My mom is one of the strongest person I know. She went through several life hurdles, yet she always have the gratitude attitude. She always told me when things is rough look down and you could see many other people who have it worse, so be grateful for what you do have.

As I went through some bad life experience, she is always there giving me support and told me not to ever let bad experience makes me bitter because when you're being bitter, you're wasting life. 

We don't always see eye to eye. Trust me, she has 3 stubborn kids that she raised to stand for what we believe in and to speak our mind. Once, I asked her how does she feel when we argue with her or when we told her she is wrong. And she said well, I might not like it, but I raised you to speak your mind and parents is also human, they make mistake.

Yep, especially growing up in Eastern culture where there's tendency to just obey your parents, my mom is definitely different. I definitely don't know many parents who can accept it when their kids say they are wrong. My mom, she would ask for our reason to say so, she'd listen, and then we discuss it.

And, my sweet mom, she still doesn't get it  the impact she has on people that know her or on us her kids. When my brother published a book that highlighted women's beauty & strength and dedicated the book to her, she asked why her. 

My mommy & me on her last visit to the States.

My mom is not perfect. But she is perfect for me. She understand my stubbornness, my mood swing, and she loves me unconditionally even when I did things she doesn't agree or understand. I think of all her kids, I am the one most different from her in the way of thinking. I have tendency to think with my heart and she has to remind me to use my head. She taught me the value of family, of kindness, of being fair and just.

To my mom, thank you for raising me the way you did. You gave me solid foundation. I appreciate my root, where I come from. Thank you for raising me in mix culture, so I can appreciate both the Eastern and the Western culture and take the best of both world. 

BTW, my mom is now officially a grandma to a real grandchild. LOL, all these times her grandkids are the 4-legged kind. Hah... So, to my mom who is one cool and funky grandma, happy birthday. I love you and glad that I am your daughter.

This card is for her. Simple and yet it says it all for me.

Gahh... I got all sappy and crying writing this post. Well, if you're reading all the way to the bottom, thank you . Help me wish my mom happy birthday, will you. Hugs to you all.