****LYRICS**** br br When I was young me and my mama had beef br Seventeen years old kicked out on the streets br Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face br Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place br Suspended from school; and scared to go home, I was a fool br with the big boys, breakin all the rules br I shed tears with my baby sister br Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids br And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama br When things went wrong we'd blame mama br I reminice on the stress I caused, it was hell br Huggin on my mama from a jail cell br And who'd think in elementary? br Heeey! I see the penitentiary, one day br And runnin from the police, that's right br Mama catch me, put a whoopin to my backside br And even as a crack fiend, mama br You always was a black queen, mama br I finally understand br for a woman it ain't easy tryin to raise a man br You always was committed br A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it br There's no way I can pay you back br But the plan is to show you that I understand br You are appreciated br br Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair br No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there br He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger br wouldn't let me feel for a stranger br They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along br I was lookin for a father he was gone br I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs br They showed a young brother love br I moved out and started really hangin br I needed money of my own so I started slangin br I ain't guilty cause, even though I sell rocks br It feels good puttin money in your mailbox br I love payin rent when the rent's due br I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you br Cause when I was low you was there for me br And never left me alone because you cared for me br And I could see you comin home after work late br You're in the kitchen tryin to fix us a hot plate br Ya just workin with the scraps you was given br And mama made miracles every Thanksgivin br But now the road got rough, you're alone br You're tryin to raise two bad kids on your own br And there's no way I can pay you back br But my plan is to show you that I understand br You are appreciated br br Pour out some liquor and I reminsce, cause through the drama br I can always depend on my mama br And when it seems that I'm hopeless br You say the words that can get me back in focus br When I was sick as a little kid br To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did br And all my childhood memories br Are full of all the sweet things you did for me br And even though I act craaazy br I gotta thank the Lord that you made me br There are no words that can express how I feel br You never kept a secret, always stayed real br And I appreciate, how you raised me br And all the extra love that you gave me br I wish I could take the pain away br If you can make it through the night there's a brighter day br Everything will be alright if ya hold on br It's a struggle everyday, gotta roll on br And there's no way I can pay you back br But my plan is to show you that I understand br You are appreciated