Who I am today because of YOU Mommy

In light of Mother's Day I'm writing this letter to my mother up in heaven to let her know how I'm doing and the man I've become because of her. She passed away a few years ago, but for those of you lucky enough to be touched by her, or saw her on TV bringing me food, you know how special she was!

Dear Mommy,

The man I have become today because of you, is a man who wears his heart on his sleeve- open for the world to see. You were the most selfless woman I've ever known and it was so obvious that your joy in life came from being in service to others, especially when it came to filling their bellies!

From you mommy, I learned that everyone gets to eat. From you I learned that when someone says, "No thanks, I'm not hungry," you make them a plate anyway and put it in front of them. Amazing that they all of a sudden get hungry and clear that delicious plate, huh?

I am the man I am today mommy, because you allowed me to be myself and make the mistakes I needed to make. You allowed me the freedom to be my authentic self and you were proud of me no matter what. When I got kicked out of school for fighting, you stood by my side anyway. Your devotion, and undeniable support in the face of ANYTHING, provided a warm, safe place for me to grow and the freedom to express myself and be as creative with how I wanted to design my life as I dreamed possible. You always believed in me. Sure, you wanted me to stay in school and get a "real job," but when I told you poker was for me, you believed I would make it and it's one of the main reasons I did. I knew you believed in me and I didn't want to let you down.


Mommy, you taught me what it meant to be outwardly focused even before I really understood what that term meant. You taught me that you experience love when you give of yourself and make the happiness of those around you your focus.

I miss you and think about you daily. Love your son Daniel.

Daniel Negreanu is the 2004 CardPlayer Magazine and World Poker Tour Player of the Year. He presents his poker strategies in one-on-one virtual training at pokervt.com and writes a weekly syndicated newspaper column.
Read all of Daniel Negreanu's poker blog and poker articles at Full Contact Poker.