Beautiful.

I watch you as you live your day. The way that you move, and the look on your face. The soft wrinkles that are just starting to etch themselves in your skin. You dread that, but to me it adds depth of character your face. The lines when you smile are brought on from years of making us laugh, and laughing your deep belly laugh right along with us.

Your brown eyes give you away every time. They don't allow you to lie. There are times when I see a flash of pain sweep through them, but you quickly try to hide it with a smile. I wish you didn't always have to be so strong. Even as a child you'd hold it in. You'd wait until all five of us were tucked in before you'd ever dream of letting it show. I hope you know that I'm not little anymore. I don't need you to be strong. Although I see myself becoming more and more like you. The thing is, I'm proud of that fact.

You move through your daily routine with the ease of a mother. Picking up, washing dishes, sweeping, and tending to your new set of children. Watching you makes it look easy. I know that it isn't. Seeing you in pain makes my heart ache. I would do anything to wipe those tears that you can't cry. They are locked so far inside of you, that I am scared they'll never come out. If I could see inside of you I know I'd see an inner battle. The battle of where you've been, to who you've become.

You are a fighter. I have never met someone so determined to be different. To break the chain, and to become a better person. You are the flower growing out of the concrete. Your determination gives me the strength to go through everything that I have. Your skinned knees allow me to come to you when I've fall down. You don't always give me a band aid, but I am always met with a kiss. You know everything about me. Do you know how rare that is? This kind of bond is so far and few between that I don't think some even believe it exists.

Our conversations are oiled with time. The way were able to read between the lines. The way that even when you say one thing... I know you mean another. You know exactly what to say to make my heart heal.. even if its just for the day. You encourage me more then anyone else. There isn't a day that goes by that you don't tell me how much you love me. You tell me I am smart. You tell me that I'm pretty. You tell me that you are proud of me. Don't ever stop. Please. Even if I shrug it off, just know that it means the world to me.

In a perfect world... I would see myself the way that you see me. In a perfect world... You'd see yourself the way I see you. Beautiful. Incredible. Strong. There is a profound beauty inside of you, mom, one that everyone else can see. I hope one day, you can see it too.