Dear Mom and Dad,
I’ve been writing some blogs on parenting and as I have, I realize who I owe credit to for instilling values in me. I don’t think any of us were perfect, but it’s very clear that you loved me and did your very best in raising me.
Mom, I thank you for showing me what selflessness means. You put so many things in your life on hold for us kids. You had the option to abort me or place me in an adoptive home, but you chose to rise above and make it work. You faithfully attended every softball game, stood by my side during some difficult times in my life, and you proudly supported me in marrying a wonderful husband and giving us a beautiful wedding.
Dad, I thank you for the countless nights talking to me until 2 in the morning. Though sometimes, I didn’t have an interest in what you were talking about, I just enjoyed the quality time you spent with me. You’ve always given me real and practical advice. You got me help when I needed it. Thank you for nailing my window shut when I was a teenager. Though I wasn’t really sneaking boys in—just talking to them, I recognize now you were trying to protect me from what I was too naive at the time to understand.
Thank you both for setting an example of what marriage is. You’ve showed prevail under very stressful times teaching me and my brothers not to give up. You’ve taught us about respect for parents by respecting your own. You made sure I was dressed appropriately before leaving the house so I wouldn’t draw negative attention to myself. You taught me that it’s okay to be “me” and embrace the gifts that God has given us. You’ve shared in my joys and joined me in tears. You have never looked at my sons as any less than your own flesh and blood and have never made an issue out of whose DNA they inherited. I could really go on and on…
I just think it’s too easy for people to tell parents where they go wrong. I just wanted to write this to show you where you went right, and to thank you for blessing my life.
Love always,
Melissa