Happy Mother's Day To Kathy Reidinger

In celebration of Mother's Day on Sunday May 13, we asked Patch readers to write a letter to their mother and let us deliver it. This is Kevin Reidinger's letter to his mom:

Dear Mommy,

When you sent me the link to this fantastic idea, I originally thought it was just another corny idea from you just like most of your ideas. However, the more I thought about it, the more it made sense to me. Why would I not do this? It's clearly something you want, and it does not cost me a dime! So the only reason that I'm doing this is because it's free. I hope you know that I was joking, and I would never say something so insensitive! The real reason that I'm doing this is because it is a perfect way to show you how much I love you and appreciate everything that you do for me.

I know you think I'm a big ol' grump most of the time and don't show you the love that you obviously deserve, but it's definitely there, Mother. Everyone is always saying, "My parents are the best," or, "My parents get me everything I want," but I truly believe that I have not only the best parents out there, I also have the best mother in the entire world.

I knew something was unique about you when you would show up to every single one of my games, rain or shine, and scream your heart out the entire game. Even though I didn't acknowledge you, I knew you were right there cheering me on. If I had a bad game, you were always right there saying I did an incredible job — even when I knew I played horribly. I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have my Number 1 fan cheering me on every game, so thank you so much for your constant support! Enough about sports, because I know your still bummed about how my season ended and how this previous season ended. (I secretly know you were glad they didn't win because you would have been super jealous, and that also shows me how much you care, but I digress.)

I will now move onto all the summer vacations you have so graciously planned for the family. Every year I look forward to our summer vacations more than you know, and I love looking back on all the memories we create every year. Some families are not lucky enough to have parents who want to spend money on vacations or who don't have enough money to provide vacations for their children. You are constantly planning fun things to do with us, and it makes a huge impact. I mean look at the studly grown-ups that you have nurtured and provided for all of these years! Seriously though, we can't thank you enough for all the amazing memories that have came from vacations planned by YOU.

All these good things that were bestowed upon Brandon, Holly and me made the rough times that much harder. I never understood how real depression looked until I unfortunately got to see it firsthand. It didn't make sense to me how someone who was filled with so much energy could be affected so deeply. It was as if all the fun was sucked out of you, and you could not manage to get it back. I wish I could have done something that would have made it easier for you, but I know that just having all of us by your side made it bearable for that short period of time. It really did crush me to see you so drained all the time, but I am so thankful that you were able to get prescribed the medication that you deserved so you could go back to being the amazing person you are.

No matter how many times we argue or disagree, at the end of the day I will always love you and always appreciate everything that you have done for me. Even though I don't show it enough, I hope this letter is able to encapsulate just a little bit of the love that I have for you. Happy Mother's Day, Mommy. You are the G.O.A.T. and don't let anybody tell you otherwise!

Much love, and I mean SO much love,
Your son, Kevin

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See all Mother's Day letters here.

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For next month's Love In A Small Town feature, we want to help you give Dad the best Father's Day gift ever. Write him a heartfelt letter to tell him how much he means to you, email it to locallove@patch.com and we'll feature it in your town's newsfeed on Father's Day. Get more details here.