Rian J Stockbower

It's 12.01am on Mother's Day where you are, and I'd like to take a few minutes to share with you (and the rest of the world) why I think you're the best, despite the fact that we butt heads on a pretty regular basis. (Though maybe not quite as much as we used to.)

Given that you're in China right now on business, I can't exactly say "Good morning, happy mothers day!" when you wake up. I sent you a card, but I don't know if you got it. 7 seems like just as good an arbitrary number as 10 or 5, so here are my 7 reasons why I think you're the best. This is an entry that I've thought about doing, well since last Mother's Day. Neither of us knew then that you would be away at the time, so it seems somewhat fitting that I post this here now, since everyone says the Internet brings the world closer together.

I'm gonna do this David Letterman style:

7. You always finish what you start

I wish this was something that I made a habit of, but I don't, though I'm trying to get better at it. We both know that I battle with being consistent even now, but I think I'm getting better. You finished college even though you had me to take care of, and finances were very tight. You always make yourself do things, even though they might suck. Like the back yard. You got out of your comfort zone and climbed on that excavator last summer even though you didn't want to, and you taught yourself how to use it, because I was lazy and wanted to sleep for another hour. I'm sorry I didn't help you, that was pretty crappy of me.

6. You fought to get me a computer

You fought John to get me a computer, and a nasty fight it was. You fought for it because you knew I wanted one so badly, and because you thought it was important. This is one of the reasons I have the skills that I have today when it comes to software and technology in general. While I think that I would have developed these skills later, I developed them much younger than most. I could probably get a job just with what I know off the top of my head should everything else in my life fall to pieces, thanks in no small part to your doing something unpleasant.

5. You taught me the value of money

You always gave me an allowance, even when money was tight. You were downright stingy by most people's standards, for which I am also grateful. It was through this that I learned to save for what I wanted. Because of these early lessons, I didn't dig myself into massive amounts of debt like so many people my age do when they get credit cards. Beyond that, you sowed the very first seeds of what (I like to think) is my prodigious knowledge of money, the market, and the interconnectedness of the world today.

4. You pulled me out of private school

I disagreed with your decision then, but I am grateful for it today. I'm glad you decided to pull me out of the small private school when you did. It allowed me to see a much bigger world, and I am a better person today for it.

3. Because you push me even though I push back

You have the strength to tackle tough conversations about my academic progress and the debt I am accruing, even though I have a tendency to make these talks unpleasant because they mirror my own thoughts all too well. Don't stop; it helps having someone else come alongside you so you can lean on them a little bit.

2. You never let me watch TV

Except for that hour every week on Saturday morning where I could watch cartoons, I wasn't allowed to watch television. I hated it then, but I am grateful for it now. Instead of the tube, you made me read books instead. And read them I did. I can point to that specifically and say that that is what gives me my gift of writing today, and I am so very grateful for it.

1. For adopting me

Because without you, I probably wouldn't be here today.

I hope I have the strength and the wisdom to make the kinds of decisions for my children that you have made for me through the years.

Thank You. I love you.