Michelle Haskell
NO WORDS //
The day of my wedding, I started my morning with the intention of writing letters to my parents, one for my mom and one for my dad. I began with my mother’s, however, when I sat down to write there was nothing. No words. I struggled as I began to write, how to start her letter and what I would say. After being at a loss for words for quite some time, I decided I would write my father’s letter first. When writing my father’s, the words came so naturally. The pen continuously moved. I knew exactly what I wanted to say to him. And after what seemed like minutes, my father’s letter was complete. I returned to my mom’s letter, only to come back to nothing. No words. The only thing that moved was time. I took a break, had my hair done, sat back down. And yet again, nothing. Nothing. Absolutely no words. An empty letter to my mother on the morning of my wedding day.
The following year, my husband and I welcome our first born, a little baby girl. During my first week at home, I finally had a moment of solitude and all those first-time motherly emotions were flooding over me. Perfect timing I had thought. What better opportunity than now to finally write my mother’s letter. The baby was asleep, so I grabbed some paper and one of my favorite pens. Sat down, and nothing. No words. The time continued to tick by, and still, nothing. Absolutely no words. Another empty letter to my mother.
So here we are, the fifth Mother’s Day following my wedding day, two (almost three) babies later, and still, nothing. No words. No letter.
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But what do you say to the most beautiful woman in the world? The one who spent so many sleepless nights for you. The one who still has all your hand print art from when you were a child. The one who has taught you more than anyone else. The one who still takes care of you when you’re sick. The one who has picked up all the pieces to every broken heart you’ve ever had. The one who is always your safe place. The one who tells you the truth no matter how much it hurts. The one who does her best to guide you in the right direction. The one who is always only a phone call away. The one who would never let you go without. The one who is there, no matter the time or situation, every time you need her. The one who hears the things you don’t say. The one who believes in you when no one else does. The one who gives so unselfishly to you. The one who continuously forgives you. The one who makes everything better. The one who gives anything and everything for your happiness. The one who would give her own life for yours. The one who has prayed for you more than anyone else. The one who will always be where home is.
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There are no words.
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Momma - it’s not that I didn't want to write you a letter, it's not that I don’t have the words to say, but there are no words.
No words, mom, to tell you how much I appreciate you. To tell you how much I care for you. Or how thankful I am for you. Or how proud I am to be yours. No words, mom, to tell you how much I admire you. To tell you how grateful I am for you and for everything you’ve done for me. No words, mom, to tell you I’m forever indebted to you. No words to tell you how much I love you.
There are no words.
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Happy Mother's Day, Momma.

Photo Credit: La Brisa Photography