MAYBE THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TODAY

Say Thanks - 
Photo by Kelly: https://www.pexels.com/photo

Have you ever wanted to say something to someone, but never did? Maybe it’s telling someone how much you appreciate them. Maybe it’s confessing your feelings to that one person who makes your heart race. Or maybe it’s something as simple as thanking a loved one for always being there. But for whatever reason, the words never leave your mouth. 

And what if this is the time, the moment for you to let it out of your chest, even if it is only through a simple note or letter that you don’t even need to send it to them?

I wasn’t actually thinking about it. But the other day, I found myself in one of those reflective moods, something I hadn’t really anticipated. 

It all started when I decided to break from my usual habit of listening to podcasts while doing chores. Instead, I stumbled upon an app and tuned into the radio. The shift felt refreshing, exposing me to an entirely different experience that I hadn’t encountered in a long time.

Related article: More Than Words - The Unspoken Love

From serious discussions in a podcast talk to playful banter between radio hosts, I found myself captivated. What really got me, though, was the segment that followed. Since this is the month of love, the hosts invited listeners to send messages of gratitude to the people they wanted to thank the most.

As I listened, I was frozen in place. People poured their hearts out, expressing gratitude in the most touching ways. A woman thanked her housemaid for tirelessly keeping her home warm and welcoming, then there was another one who shared how her massage therapist had helped her recover not just physically but emotionally, and a mother spoke about how her children’s love had given her strength in her weakest moments. Some even took a moment to appreciate themselves for their resilience, their growth, their ability to keep going despite life’s hardships. 

Related article: Why Healing Your Past Is the Key to True Growth

It was a beautiful, raw display of human connection and appreciation that left me deeply moved. And in that moment, I knew exactly who I wanted to thank.

My mom.

I’ve always wanted to say it, but I never knew how. The past couple of years have been rocky for both of us. Those were the years filled with personal turmoil, healing childhood wounds, and confronting deep-seated pain. But now, I feel ready to express what’s been sitting in my heart for so long.

So, here it is.

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Dear Mom,

Thank you. For everything. For all you’ve done for me, for our family, and for yourself.

Thank you for loving us unconditionally. Thank you for always taking care of yourself, for staying healthy, for being strong when life gave you every reason to crumble. Thank you for stepping up and becoming both a mother and a father when Dad passed away. Thank you for working so hard to make sure I could finish my education and for never letting me feel like I had to walk this journey alone.

And thank you, from the depths of my heart, for every single prayer you’ve whispered for me and our family.

I also want to say I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the moments I hurt you, for the times I shut you out, for the past two years when my resurfaced childhood trauma put us through so much pain. I never planned for it to happen. In fact, I had buried it so deep that I never thought it would come back. But life had other plans, and healing demanded that I face it all.

It was brutal. It was messy. It felt like a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from. But through it all, you stood by my side. You never left me. And I wouldn’t have made it through without your presence, your unwavering support, your love, and your prayers.

Now that I’ve healed, I see things with a different heart, a more compassionate one. I see you, Mom. I see how hard life was for you. And I see how you still chose to keep going. I now understand that you, too, carry your own trauma, one that may have been even more brutal than mine. And yet, you stand here today, strong as ever.

And for that, I am endlessly grateful.

Every single day, I thank God that I have you as my mother.

I love you.

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Now, I want to ask you: Who do you want to thank?

Take a moment. Close your eyes and think of that one person who has been there for you, who has lifted you up in ways big or small. Maybe it’s your mother, your father, a friend, a teacher, or even a stranger whose kindness changed your day. Maybe it’s someone who silently stands by your side, never asking for recognition, yet making your life a little easier, a little brighter.

Life moves so fast, and we often forget to say the things that truly matter. But today, let’s pause. Let’s embrace this moment to express our gratitude. If you’ve been holding onto words you’ve never said, let them out. Write them down. Speak them aloud. And if you’d like, share them here in the comments, because sometimes, a simple 'thank you' can change everything.

Gratitude is a gift that costs nothing, yet means everything. Let’s celebrate this month of love! So, who do you want to thank today?