Dear Mom and Dad,
Since the very beginning of my life, you guys have been my two biggest cheerleaders. I know you remember the things that I don’t – how it felt to be told that I had cancer, and to watch me constantly struggle with life from that moment on. Thank you for loving me through it all. I know God had different plans for me than you and I would have had, and we had to learn to go with the flow instead of fighting it. Those were difficult lessons, but good lessons nevertheless. I think it has turned out to be quite the ride, don’t you think?
Thank you for always being honest about how I’ve come to be this way. I understand a lot more of what you guys went through back when I was sick, due to following kids with cancer on Facebook and reading what their parents write. You never gave up on me. You never said I couldn’t do something I wanted to do if there was a chance that I could do it. You treated me no differently than you treated Ryan, Patrick, and Jacqueline, and for that, I’ll always be grateful. It set the standard for me.
When I wanted to go away to university after I got my A.A. degree, you let me go. I knew, of course, that you were about an hour away. And after college, when the back pain started up, you guys were right there with me, wanting to get it fixed. Of course, I was my usual stubborn self and it took me a while to admit that it wasn’t going away by itself.
And, oh… Thank you for letting me get a dog. I know it was trial and error for a while there – I’ve never really taken care of anybody else other than myself – it’s amazing to me Buffy is still ALIVE after almost four years in my care – ha! She helps me see the lighter side to life – every time I look at her, I have to either smile or laugh.
And last but not least, thank you for undertaking the ginormous project of expanding the back of the house and building me a bedroom on the main floor with my own bathroom/walk-in shower/closet. I know that was a lot of work, more than a lot (and also stress). I just want you to know that I appreciate it!
I love you both to the moon and back!
XOXO
