Dear Friend,

Happy Mother’s Day from my family to yours! I’m not going to lie, this can be a hard day for me — my Mom passed away after a long fight with cancer back in 2004. I was just 13 years old. I miss her terribly, every single day.

Here’s a photo of my Mom alongside me, my twin sister, Ida, and our big brother, Arya. This photo, circa 1995, is from a wedding my family attended. My Mom actually made all our outfits by hand! She was a big-hearted person, worked incredibly hard, and was a talented seamstress, too.

This Mother’s Day, I am remembering my Mom — and honoring her legacy through action. We must recommit ourselves to women’s equality, family-support programs, and ensuring people have the freedom to decide when they are ready to become a parent.

However you plan to honor this day, know that I am right there with you and eternally grateful to all of our moms.

Onward, 

Representative Anna V. Eskamani