Dear Mom,

When I was a little girl, you hit me…

a lot.

 And I deserved every single one of those spanks, hair yanks, and chanklasos. I wasn’t always the best-behaved kid or the most respectful. I know you think I may have some sort of -resentment towards you- but the truth is simple- I don’t. I talk about my past because I am proud of it. I wouldn’t change a thing about it. You raised me to be a strong-independent woman with the confidence to take on the world. You raised me to be respectful, humble, and kind to others. You thought me to be selfless, hard-working, and honest. It is with that honesty that I tell you- you were the best mother you could have been and that was always ENOUGH.

             I want you to know that when I remember the past- and reminisce about the memories, I always smile because nothing in my past is a negative thought. Even when I am sharing stories about times when you punished me with an opened palm……….. I laugh. Those stories make me laugh because I cannot believe that I have changed so much. (and Thank God for that- am I right???) Truth is, I probably shouldn’t laugh- because I earned every punishment I received. I really did put you through hell back then, and I know we have never talked about it officially- but I want you to know that I am NOT proud of my actions, and I am sorry for everything I did or said that hurt you.

             Most importantly, I am sorry that you have lived with the thought that I was holding this against you. Trust me when I say, I could not be prouder of how I was raised. To be honest with you, the stories of how “My mother used to hit me” are not over. I can’t wait to share it with my future husband and your future grandchildren; because when that day comes I am going to say: “Thanks to my mother’s discipline, I am who I am, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it!!!” also, “Oh yeah, and I totally deserved it… I was baaaad!”