It's my birthday today.
I had the nicest text exchange with my mom just now.
If I am, in fact as wonderful as she thinks I am (granted she's highly biased), it's due in large part to her.
My mom is a sweet, funny, gentle, kind, and quirky person who has always just been herself, authentically.
She raised me with those same values. I place high value in being gentle, kind, open, and adventuresome because she taught me to.
I'm grateful she made me, and even more grateful she made me the way I am.