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Dear Mom: The Words We Wish Mom Could Hear

In honor of Mother's Day, we asked readers, What would you tell your mother if you could?

By Reader's Digest Editors from Reader's Digest Magazine, | June/July 2011

In honor of Mother’s Day, we asked readers, What would you tell your mother if you could?

Here’s a sampling of your answers:

• I’m sorry. Thank you. I love you. Not necessarily in that order. Anna O’Connell, 45, Hollywood, Maryland

• There is no point trying to make your recipes. We miss you so much, we can hardly swallow them. Diane Granic, 54, Westminster, Maryland

• I wish I could tell my mother I’m sorry for being so hard on her. S. S., 53, Edmond, Oklahoma

• You were honest, fair, and intelligent. It was not as much what you said as what you did. Dorothy Shapiro, 78, Liberty, New York

• Please stop picking on everyone, especially Dad. Can’t you just let people be? S. H., Galveston, Texas

• I’d like to tell my mother that I have two tattoos. She would flip out if she knew. Sheila Woodall, 42, Cornelia, Georgia

• I admired your courage and tenacity during some really tough times. Connie W. Seals, 64, Tampa, Florida

• Everything I am I owe to her. J. E., via Internet

• I’d ask her whether I have become the mother, grandmother, and daughter she hoped I would be. Melinda Sanderson, 59, Oakville, Missouri

• I wish I had gotten to know you better. Judith Francello, 64, Escondido, California

• I forgive you for not being perfect. Joann Goldstein, Las Vegas, Nevada

• Thank you for all the times you told me no and explained why. Sherry Barrett, 43, Carthage, Texas

• The time you spend with your children and grandchildren is worth more than your dollars will ever be. Patty Melton, 56, Tulsa, Oklahoma

• I would thank her for taking care of my children when they were little. I wish she could see them now. Deborah Benton, 58, Houston, Texas

• I never understood why you made me eat beans every night. Nancy Santos, 45, Silver Spring, Maryland

What would you tell YOUR mom? Share your message by posting a comment below.

Your Comments

  • Thenunes1

    How come you didn’t like me?

  • Mrtang008

    I love you for no reason

  • Davbot

    Mom, I’m sorry for all of the times I yelled at you in anger and resentment. I know you only wanted me to be happy and successful. But I also wanted you to be happy and enjoy life. I know those last few years of your life were especially painful and I’m not just talking about the cancer.

    • Rosalie

      Hi, I am a Chinese. The happiest time for me is to be with my mom whom I love most. I also yelled at her sometimes. She’s so busy making a living for us. I hope she can take care of herself and slow down to enjoy her life. I cherish every minute when I am with her. And I am really worried about her health for she is so tired everyday.

  • Gloria

    I would tell my mom that even though she is far away physically, she will always be in my heart

  • LISA

    DEAR MOMMY OR WAS THAT MOMMY DEAREST I KNOW YOU WOULD LAUGH AT THAT THROUGH IT ALL I STILL LOVED YOU AND I KNOW YOU LOVED ME STILL AS MUCH AS YOU WERE ABLE TO HOPE YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE NOW XOXOXO. LISA

  • Anonymous

    Mom, I wish I killed you when I had the chance because you gave up on me and cause more pain than not.  Yes I was a bad teen, and partier, but I had ALOT of mental illnesses, which you did not own up to just denied or ignored, or tried to buy away or send me away.  Thanks alot
    bye. 

  • LOCKED

    1st, I would like to say that I love you and respect you all along . but its hard to get along with you . maybe you will say “what kind of crap are you talking about” if you read this . I know that you hard on me because you don’t want me to be nothing/unsuccessful . But you never give the chance for me to talk about it or if you do, you would snap back my words and thus will make me shut up about it . Didn’t you know that this make me scared ? I prefer talking to other people than you . I don’t want this happen too often ; asking/blurting out problems/any other that matters to other people 1st instead of you . I want you to know first . I hope you understand, and stop comparing me with other people, picking on me . am not good enough for you? but then, I LOVE YOU ALWAYS MOM . ALWAYS .

  • mrang

    Dear Mom, I wish you were here with me, to see me, to care for me, to love me. I miss you a lot…..

  • Jhomira2010

    Sorry , but i am not perfect. Thank you because you love me like I am

  • Mwinfiel

    To my foster mother that raised me. only God loved me more. Geneva I hope you can see me.

  • Angela

    Dear mom, why wont you love me? I thought thats what moms were for. To love. To heal. To help. I cry myself to sleep at night wondering why someone wont take me into their arms and love me like they are suppose to. I watch movies and close my eyes to feel  loved, because the real thing is never going to happen. Im not asking for a lot, just what every girl wants…a mom to listen and care. For you to look up at her, and know everything is fine, because she said so.

    For everyone else out there, thats lucky enough to have a mom that will love you, and listen, and hold you, be grateful and be sure to love her back with all your hear. -Sincerly, unloved.
    18, Angela I, Canada

  • joan

    I am so glad to have shared all those years with you, after Dad died.  I never felt alone, unwanted or unneeded during that time.  Holidays were happier and brighter because of you.    Life was so sweet, and filled with all the memories that I carry with me and sustain me now that you are gone.  No matter how many times I told you that I loved you and was happy that I had you with me, I could never say it enough.  I miss you so much, I am so proud of you and am so glad to have had all those years we shared.   I am a better person because I had you in my life.
     

  • Gladysachiengokech

     I couldn’t ask for a better mom coz u r simply the best

  • Elaiza Banasig

    I can talk to anyone in this world, be them famous people or presidents, except you.

  • emme rilry

    You died when I was six.  I’m sorry you weren’t there for my first communion, confirmation, graduation, engagement,wedding, birth of your grandchildren.  I missed  you from the day you died, and I have always felt very cheated,  Wish you had been here.

  • Deena_gonzalez

    Mommy, you are the woman I am still trying to become

  • Janna

    i would say to her ” THANK YOU MOM FOR TAKING CARE OF ME AND BEING THERE FOR ME WHEN NO ONE ELSE DIDN’T AND THANK YOU FOR SHOWING ME THE RIGHT DIRECTION “

  • aliah saiful

    mom you are everything to me.thanks a lot for everything.we love you.Aliah Saiful.Selangor, Malaysia

  • Sonny; 56; Dixon, MO

    Thank you Mama for taking me in at four years of age, when you already had 13. You and Daddy gave me a home, family and love but most of all a firm foundation to build on. I so love you both.

  • Sonny; 56; Dixon, MO

    Thank you Mama for taking me in at four years of age, when you already had 13. You and Daddy gave me a home, family and love but most of all a firm foundation to build on. I so love you both.

  • Kathie Beach

    I miss you so much.  Your imprint on my life is evidenced daily by the decisions I make, the things I say and do and how I say and do them.  

  • corinne

    I wish that you were with us mom miss you oh so much  thanks for all that you did for me I love you mom signed your youngest daughter 

  • Janie Floyd Hunter

    CB, you were the Greatest. I love you now and always. Thank you for all you did and helping with Desi, Christi and all the other grands.

  • naeem iqbal

     simply love you

  • Lcruickshank

    I’m sorry for any wrong i had caused you, but thank you for being a pillar of strength and light for me in my life! I will miss you sorely till the day i die and i hope to meet you in the hereafter to be with God happily forever in His Kingdom which is a more lasting and better home! In God’s will! I love you forever! Louise, 42, Fiji. 

  • vince

    If i could, i would tell my mom that she is my hero – vince, pampanga philippines

  • Lynnes

    Wish you didn’t have to go so soon because now I have the means to  take you to Rome!!!

  • JB

    I would tell her how much I love her every day and I would spend time getting to know all about her to answer the questions I find myself wondering now…..

  • Mojtaba Pina

    mother is gods hdygift that gires brightness happiness and joyfulness

  • Mojtaba Pina

    mother is gods hdygift that gires brightness happiness and joyfulness

  • kristal

    I would tell “ma, they’re telling that most likely we’re siblings, when its more than that. mother-child-enemy-bestfriend-in one” Thank you and love you all moms. ^__^

  • kristal

    I would tell “ma, they’re telling that most likely we’re siblings, when its more than that. mother-child-enemy-bestfriend-in one” Thank you and love you all moms. ^__^

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/KRRUUD25POLZD7XLZ3JCS5TUBU n_a_t_s_u

    I would tell “ma, they’re telling that most likely we’re siblings, when its more than that. mother-child-enemy-bestfriend-in one” Thank you and love you all moms. ^__^

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/KRRUUD25POLZD7XLZ3JCS5TUBU n_a_t_s_u

    I would tell “ma, they’re telling that most likely we’re siblings, when its more than that. mother-child-enemy-bestfriend-in one” Thank you and love you all moms. ^__^

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kuang-Yao-Chih/100001677133686 Kuang Yao Chih

    even though i can’t see my mother now but my mother’s portrait in my heart forever. Dear Mom i missed you so much. 

  • Eldamaemccutchan

    i’d say i’m sorry you passed away before i got to know you as a person and not a controller. that i  never really got a chance to love you as a  grownup. i’m sorry you didn’t get to see all your grandchildren and none of your great grandchildren.

  • http://www.motherpedia.com.au/ www.motherpedia.com.au

    Mom is god gift.A mother’s arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them.