This idea spurred in my brain last night while I was listening to Beyoncé's "Ring Off"

Enjoy!

You used to dress and fix your hair
Then you smiled through your tears
In the mirror you would stare
And say a prayer
Like, "I wish he said I'm beautiful
I wish it didn't hurt at all
I don't know how I got here
I was once the one who had his heart –Beyoncé

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ERSL21~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sitting here watching my mother enjoy her last day as a single woman, makes me so happy. She is radiating. Laughing and talking with her closet female friends, as she relishes in the notion that tomorrow afternoon, she will be Mrs. Flynn. She has been through much. She has held her head high through it all. She never once allowed my father's actions to make her stoop to his level. She always has a smile on her face, even through the tears. She always kept a positive outlook on life for mine and Ricky's sake. She never once said a bad thing to us about him. Even though she had every reason to. She loved him. Sometimes, I believe she loved him more than he loved her. How could he not see the treasure that he had right in front of his face? How could he let her go? One will never those answers. Truthfully, I probably don't want to know, for sanctity of he and I's relationship. I love my father, don't get me wrong, but I can't help but feel a tinge of resentment towards him for the way he treated my mother. Granted his sober now, and I know all about his apology to her. However, it was a little too late. He should have been the husband that she deserved when he had the opportunity. I admire my mother so much. She has taught me so many valuable lessons. The main one is to keep pushing through the pain. She always has a sunny disposition about life. I never will know how she does it. She carries pain with such style and grace. Watching her find love with Andy has been the most beautiful thing I have ever experienced. She was so afraid to try again, but once she let go and gave it her all, she found happiness again. I will forever be grateful for Andy, he made my mother happy again. I have never seen her smile as much as she does when she is in his presence. Just the sheer mention of his name, ignites a smile on her face. She is in love, and is beyond beautiful.

"Mom?" I call as she takes another sip of her wine.

"Hmm?" She responds.

"Can you come with me?" I inquire. She nods yes. I grab her hand and we walk out onto the balcony of the hotel suite.

"What is it, honey?" She inquires I can see the worry begin to etch across her face.

"Have a seat, please." I breathe. She still looks a little nervous. "Mom, relax it is nothing bad." She relaxes once she hears those words.

"Ok." She simply states and waits for me to begin.

"Mom, I just wanted to let you know that I am proud of you. You suffered a lot during your marriage to dad. You have to tolerate so much, and I can't help but feel like you did it for Ricky and I. I just want to tell you thank you. I'm glad that you found the strength and took that ring off. You inspire me so much. Your strength and determination to not be broken by a man that you loved with all of your heart and soul, is beautiful to say the least. I'm happy that you got tired of the fighting, and crying and decided enough was enough. I am immensely proud that you took the high road, and just know that you have a daughter that appreciates that you took the high road! Mom, I learned through you, that you live and learn and that is just the way life goes! You taught me that letting go, is never the end! You proved that you can go out and find love again! You showed me that freedom begins when we say it does! I am even more proud that you dusted yourself off, and went out there and conquered love again! Now you have a man that loves and cherishes you like you are his Queen! You are beaming with joy and love! Every time I see you, I can't help but smile. You are my hero, mom. I love you!" I say holding back tears as I watch tears stream down her face. I reach out to hold her hand and she squeezes it gently.

"Emily." She manages to say through her happy tears. "You are so amazing. I don't won't you or your brother to ever feel like I stayed in the marriage because of you. It was my choice, to continue to suffer. So, please don't ever feel bad about it. Thank you so much, for your kind words! They warm my heart immensely! To know that I am your hero, is all that I could ever want. I'm happy you learned a valuable lesson from me. I hope that it keeps you and your brothers from making the same mistake I did. I love you, honey!" She says before placing a kiss on my forehead.

"Mom?" I breathe. "Hmm?" She inquires.

"I am really happy for you and Andy!" I confess. I watch her face beam with joy once again.

"Thank you, honey!" She exclaims.

"Now let's go get some beauty rest." I say standing up and opening the balcony door.

"Sure thing!" She says following behind me.

We walk back into the room and the ladies are still talking as if, the guest of honor never left the room.

"Whose wedding are we planning next?" Andrea says. Everyone turns and looks at me. I'm shocked, considering I don't have a boyfriend. Sure, I date. Much more than I let my mom know about, but still I date. I just haven't found the right one, even though New York City is a big pond, but none of the fish seem to be for me.

"I don't even have a boyfriend." I confess.

"That solves it! Our next order of business after this wedding, if finding Emily a boyfriend!" Andrea exclaims. Everyone cheers, except me. Mom, mouths, "Sorry." Oh, gosh what have I done now?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ERSL21~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After all your tears
After all that pain's all clear
Mama, after all them years
We can start all over again
Mama, and now it all makes sense
Letting go is never the end
Mama, we can love again
This is where freedom begins –Beyonce

Please, don't hesitate to tell me what your thoughts about this story! I look forward to reading your nuggets!