To my children on Mother’s Day,

We grew up together.

I wasn’t fully the grown-up I thought I was when I became a mother. I learned how to be one because of raising you.

So I changed.

I re-parented myself while raising you. I repaired when I messed up, and I still repair when I mess up. I learned how to attune to myself and, more importantly, to you.

You didn’t just grow up.

You woke me up.

I know I birthed you, grew you in my belly, and then raised you — but you gave me the gift of life. You woke me up to living a life of purpose.