No one gets to choose where or when they are born let alone the parents that they get in life. For this reason, I consider myself to be the luckiest person in the entire world because the woman that I call mom is so much more than a mom. Now I know that I have a close relationship with my mom and for that reason I have considered her not only a parent but a friend through the hardest of times. I have never known someone to be more on my side than her. I could be completely overreacting, completely stressing out, broken-hearted, or seemingly at rock bottom and she has been the only one who helps me find clarity, chill out, put my heart back together, or find the ladder out of the pit I'm in. A thousand other friends just couldn't compare.
Recently my mom came to Japan and I must say that I stressed out and totally forgot that she traveled so far for ME. She came here to see me and it seems that sometimes I forget how selfish I can be. A part of me wanted nothing more than to give her the best experience possible in Japan, include her in this life of amazement that I've experienced the past 3/4 of a year. And I completely overlooked the importance to her that I get to know more about her life. She brought Joe to Japan with her and I felt like I didn't give my full effort getting to know him and why he makes her so happy. I guess a part of me was hurting because for as long as I remember it's been more or less me and my mom. We've had each other through some really tough times and I guess I miss us being there for each other every day.
It's so tough as we grow older. I think that it must be really tough for mothers to see their children leave. I could only imagine how it must be to have a son who likes to leave the country for extended periods of time. I do want to say to you mom that it has been really tough for me. I may smile and tell you to stop crying when we have to part ways but as soon as you are out of sight, I cry just as you do. I love you through it all, even when my behavior doesn't show it or I'm not showing my true emotions at the moment. I guess on this mother's day, I want to make a promise to you that I will be more attentive to my true feelings and that we can enjoy our time together.
So for this Mother's Day, I hope that a set of haiku (Japanese poems) will suffice in lieu of a traditional poem.
A mom and her boy,
nothing can separate them,
not land nor ocean,
through lots together,
a special bond is present,
one stronger than steel,
bending and flexing,
through the good and the bad times,
it stays in one piece,
and despite it all,
this bond becomes stronger yet,
as they change and learn.
Eventually,
this strength they have together,
will be spread to others,
more love will arise,
and everything that they do,
will build something more,
something amazing,
a lasting testament to,
all that they have shared.
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Happy Mother's Day,
I love you with all my heart,
and will forever.
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