Day 3 - Your Parents
“You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back.” – William D. Tammeus
Dear Mum and Dad,
Words cannot even begin to express just how much you both mean to me. The love and support you both have shown me over these last 22 years is immeasurable. I am truly blessed to have been guided through life by such exceptional people.
Mum, you are one of the strongest women I have ever met. Your strength through chemotherapy and radiation treatments, after being diagnosed with breast cancer was truly astounding. Then when you were rushed into open heart surgery after they nicked through your heart during a heart ablation… The fact we all almost lost you. That was truly one of the most petrifying moments of my life. When we were told that you had died but that they were able to revive you however, they were unsure whether there would be any long term damage. You were in a coma overnight as well. I feel completely blessed and grateful that you pulled through and that you are doing a great deal better now.
I was not there for you like I should have been and for that I am truly sorry. Despite your being hurt you completely forgave me and welcomed me back into your life with open arms and understanding. You gave definition to unconditional love.
You have stood by my side through all of the toughest times in my life; picking me up and helping all that you possibly can. I cannot even begin to explain just how grateful I am to have such a strong and loving woman in my life. You have helped to mold me into the young lady that I am now and I am so thankful.
I truly hope that even just a fraction of your generosity and warmth has rubbed off onto me. I am so proud to be your daughter and I hope to never let you down in the future.
I love you so very much.
Dad, you and I have had our ups and downs. We do not always seem to see eye to eye with each other and we often times let our tempers get the better of us. Both of us always having to have the last word and we are both relentless in arguments. Despite all of that, you gave me boundaries. Often which I broke, but at the end of the day I learned valuable life lessons; ones that you and mum both knew I had to learn on my own.
Your humor and witty comebacks have always been one of the highlights of growing up in your household. I definitely got my sense of humor from you and that is a huge part of who I am. I know we get on mums nerves from time to time, but we all know it is out of love.
Your strong work ethic and dedication to raising your family has been a large part of why I work so hard in my life. You have worked so hard to provide and support your family financially, giving David and I both and exceptional childhood. Most children would die to have the upbringing that Dave and I had.
I want to thank you for being there for me through the difficult times with your witty banter. All the times I never understood that that was the way you showed your love and appreciation. As I’ve gotten older I have come to the realization that that is just your way of showing just how much you love and appreciate me. Thank you for making me laugh all those times and for being such an amazing father.
I love you so much.
I love you both with all of my heart and I thank you both for having been such amazing parents. I could not ask for more. Thank you both so much. I love you and I know I have not always been the best at showing it, but please do not ever doubt my love for you both.
Love always from you appreciative daughter,
Samantha
