Taking a Passion Abroad: A Letter to Mom

To all the moms in my life, happy Mother’s Day! Thank you for everything you have done for me. And now a letter to my mom…

Dear Mom,

Today is a day that celebrates you. I haven’t really spent time with you on Mother’s Day for many years. I am usually up in Minnesota drumming at a show. So this year isn’t all that different, is it? Just because I am in a different time zone, country, and continent does not mean that I can’t still celebrate you.

You have watched and helped me to become the woman I am today. You sat through so many concerts, sporting events, Girl Scout meetings, and so much more. I have drug you around the country for Sheltered Reality, FCCLA, Girl Scouts, and life in general. Your time and energy has not gone unnoticed. Everything you do for me I take note of and thank God for.

You are a blessing in my life. You gave me life and taught me how to go for my dreams. You also accepted the fact that I was going to go for those dreams, no matter what it takes, from a young age. You let me be my own person. You let other moms watch out for me in your absence. You knew that I would travel far and wide all over the country doing what I loved, and you let me go. Without that I certainly would not be in Guyana today. You did your best to be active in my life. You became my Girl Scout troop leader, you became a Sheltered Reality site coordinator AND board member, you traveled far and wide to support me in my performances for music, speech, and athletics. You send me packages all the way to Guyana when I need things and just to know that you are thinking of me. You have given me so much.

I never thank you as much as I should. If anything you only know when I am mad or upset with you, and that is not right at all. I hope you know that I love you very much and appreciate everything you do for me. I look forward to being able to take crazy selfies, traveling to SSDB and other drum events, and just being able to turn to you for advice and help in this crazy thing called my life.

I love you so much, and I hope you can feel it from 3,000 miles away. I come home in 37 days. Then I will be able to give you your Mother’s Day hug in person. For now, this virtual hug will have to do.

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Thank you for being you. I love you!

Love,

Kelli Jo