Dear mom

Dear mom,

I'm leaving soon.

It's not because I'm mad at you

or because I want to get away.

Mom I so wish I could stay with you.

How can I leave the one who has been through everything with me?

The one who has done everything for me.

The one who would stay at my basketball games just to watch me sit the bench.

The one who would sit at my soccer games and watch me miss goal after goal.

The one who would sit through hours of piano recitals.

The one who would drive me back and forth from practices and games. 

But mom,

I'm leaving soon.

There will be no more of that.

I wish you would come with me.

I don't think I can do it on my own.

Three thousand miles away from my home?

How can I leave the one who has given me everything?

From the last five dollars in your purse so I could get lunch.

From the coat on your own back.

From the last piece of dessert that you know you really wanted.

But mom,

I'm leaving soon.

And I don't think I can do it without you.

And it's taken a lot of thought but I have to.

Dear mom,

I love you.

And I'll be right back clinging onto you just like I always do.

Love,

Your sidekick, your "best friend", your little girl, and most importantly, your daughter.