A Letter To My Mom
This is a letter from Anthony, USMC/Army Veteran To His Mom
I grew up in a very loving and caring home. My parents were my heroes.
Like many of us brothers, I was too proud to show it.
I always thought my mother was a badass. A tattooed Hispanic woman just under five feet tall that that could make grown men cry. And she always held the family together no matter what happened.
But that morning I walked out her, I knew something was wrong.
This is a letter to her, from me, and I hope you find it useful to reach out to your mother.
Dear Mom,
I miss you. You know I am truly sorry for saying I hated you.
I never meant to say those words, especially if I knew it would be the last time that I would ever see you again.
I know you called me later that morning to tell me that you loved me and that you were so proud of the man that I was becoming.
I remember that day like it was yesterday and the tears in your eyes as I closed the door and walked out.
I am sorry for not coming back. You were always there for me and I left when you needed me the most.
I wish you could see your grandsons today. They are just like me. The way the smile, laugh, and love.
They are everything I am, and so much more.
They are my pride and joy , and watching them grow up from a distance is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do as a man.
But I know they are doing well.
Mom, I know you wanted me to grow up and have an amazing family. And I did, but it got ugly fast.
We ended up divorced, and it hurt me bad.
But I’ve learned from my past, and have an amazing woman in my life now.
You would love her because she loves me for all my weirdness, and your grandsons too.
We have a family together, with two beautiful girls that I love like my own.
Next month I will ask this woman to take my hand in marriage.
I wish you could meet her. Yes, mom, she is white, but this white girl can dance.
I miss you every day, and deep inside I am hurting because I did not have you or dad around to guide me as a young man.
For years I hid away my pains. I turned to alcohol, drugs, and was suicidal. I felt alone. So I buried myself deep with work and pushed away my family.
Then one day I realized I was not only hurting myself but losing my sons and something had to be done.
Since then, I have never looked back.
Yes, it hurts knowing that I was not the man you raised me to be. But that was the past, and mom you would be proud of the man I am today.
My years in service, my college degree, and my beautiful family.
I stand tall with an open heart, and it feels amazing.
I’m growing from my challenges and this is exactly where you would want me to be.
I have found a group of other men who are struggling like me, and we grow together through our stories.
I am no longer living in a world full of hate, but in a world full of love, gratitude and appreciation.
And while I can not see my two little dudes, I respect their mother for the life that she gave them.
I love you and am truly sorry.
Your son,
Anthony
USMC/ARMY Veteran
