Dear Mum,
It’s been a long journey. I doubt you ever imagined my life would become what it has. From all the youthful promise of academia, dreaming of a great career and a family, to the moment the doctors told you I was going to die. I can’t begin to imagine what you went through when you heard that the dreams were over. Then the emotions involved when I survived, only for the doctors to proclaim that I would spend the rest of my life in hospital. It would have been so easy for you to walk away, to protect yourself from the heartache, but you didn’t. Those were long years.
But now, now I’m more alive than anyone ever believed possible. I’m travelling the world and changing more lives than just my own. I’ve found my wings and discovered the thrill of flying. I know you wanted me close, afraid to let me out of sight after everything we’ve been through. Yet you understood my need to leave. Even though you were scared you let me jump.
Mum, without you I would probably still be in that hospital because I would have given up fighting a long time ago. I’m so grateful that you never gave up on me and I’m so grateful that you gave me your blessing to jump on that first plane. You could have clipped my wings to keep me home and safe, but you understood my need to fly. I know that my life isn’t what you imagined for me. I know there have been so many years of pain, disappointment and fear. I used to be afraid that I’d never do anything to make you proud, but now I know that just want to see me happy. And I want you to know that I AM happy. My life may be very different to anything I had planned, but that’s not important. I’ve found my place in the world but I couldn’t have done it without you.
So, Mum, thank you for believing in me and thank you for never giving up.
With love from your ever grateful daughter,
Sarah
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