My Madre Has Gone Above and Beyond For Us During the Pandemic, and For That, I'm Thankful

The global pandemic has served as a reminder that family means everything to me. This Mother's Day, I would like to thank my strong Puerto Rican madre for taking care of me and doing her best to keep our family out of harm's way. To you, madre, I am forever grateful, and want to honor you.

A good madre makes sure that her children have everything they need, and that is something that you have given me ever since I was born. You were so young when you carried me in your womb at 17. When I look at my brother, who is 18, I can clearly see how young you were, and how difficult having me must have been for you.

At 25, I am not ready to have a child. How were you able to when you were only a teenager? I will never pretend to know your experience or struggle, but now that I am older, I realize that your efforts are not something that will ever stop. With the threat of COVID-19 prevalent in public spaces, you have shown how infinite your corazón is for the family by preserving our well-being.

As soon as you heard that a pandemic was going to affect us, you stocked up on supplies that you knew we would need. From water and food to soap and toilet tissue, you found it all.

Every time that you leave home to gather more necessities, my brother and I worry for your health. Because of your iron deficiency and other health issues, you are high-risk for COVID-19 complications. You know this, but you still tell the rest of the family to stay home because you fear for our lives more than your own.

Like many Latinx, you hold on to the good faith of the Lord, trusting that you will be protected through any hardships that enter your path. You put on your gloves, grab your Lysol disinfectant spray and Clorox wipes, and you're off again. You truly are my hero, but I can't help but worry for your life just as much as you worry for ours.

In a world of uncertainty, you fill our stomachs with nutrients to boost our immune systems. Your celery and carrot-orange juices are quite the way to wake us up in the mornings. I may not particularly enjoy the taste of celery juice, but you insist on us drinking it because you know that it is for our own benefit.

One day, I hope to be as wonderful as a cook as you are. Your homemade meals meant so much to me growing up, but now, I appreciate them even more. The aroma of Hispanic seasonings like Adobo and sazón escape the oven on a daily basis, signaling that an amazing meal awaits. For lovingly feeding me all these years, I express absolute gratitude.

This Mother's Day, I don't have gifts to bring you, but I do want you to know that I appreciate all of the things you do for me, big and small. Te amo mi madre. I want you to remember that even though you are fulfilling your role in taking care of your family, to also take care of yourself, especially during this trying time.