mom

A story about the woman who said, “You can.”

There was once a girl who said,

“Mom, I want…”

And always, there was a woman who answered,

“Daughter, you can.”

Each time the young girl said:

Mom, I want to talk to you.

Mom, I want to cry with you.

Mom, I want to disagree with you.

Mom, I want to get a job.

Mom, I want to move across the country.

Mom, I want your advice.

Mom, I want to call you.

Every time,

the woman said,

“Daughter, you can.”

As the girl grew,

she learned she didn’t need permission—

but she still loved hearing the words

of the woman who said,

“Daughter, you can.”

This is a story about a Mom

who still picks up the phone

at all hours of the day and night

and says,

“Hello, my darlin’.”

A Mom who still listens,

affirms,

nurtures,

and supports—

even when everything in her

might want to say the opposite.

This woman exemplifies loyalty,

unending trust,

and an all-consuming love.

Despite the request,

the woman always said,

“Daughter, you can.”

Isn’t that what we hope for

our whole lives?

Someone who always believes

we can.

We become who we are by choice,

but I truly believe

I’ve become who I am

because of the woman

who kept saying,

“I can.”

So today, as a woman, I say:

Mom, I love you.

Mom, I admire you.

Mom, I honor you.

And Mom—

you, too, can.