A letter to my parents

I refuse to say that I love my parents more and more with age, since my love for them has always existed. I do, however, have a growing appreciation for them, that I believe will continue to evolve the more I grow and the more I experience life's trials and triumphs.

This is a letter for them...


Dear Mom and Dad,

As I observe other parents around the world, I realize how blessed I am not only to have both of my parents alive and together, but to have been raised by such a strong team of individuals. Over the years, I've learned to appreciate different things about you. 

Mom, as a child I appreciated how affectionate you were. As a teenager I appreciated how you pushed me to do my best. In college I appreciated how you supported my decisions and I realized how fortunate I am to have a constant presence in my life. And now that I am a world away fulfilling my dreams, I appreciate your strength in letting me go...You are the butt of our jokes, our scapegoat when something goes wrong, and our doorman when we unload all of our frustrations. Never once have you lead us to believe that you didn't love being a mother and never once have you lead us to believe that you love one of us more than the others. Thank you for all that you do.

Dad, I appreciate you more than you will know. For encouraging me to be curious. For supporting me in pursuing my dreams. For teaching me to analyze my surroundings and to do my research before making decisions. For showing me the importance of education, both formal and informal. For demonstrating to me the values of honesty and hard work. For teaching me to help others. For taking a genuine interest in my life. And most importantly, for instilling in me and in all young women, the belief that we can and must become strong and independent and that we do not need the support of men to accomplish our goals. Thank you for dedicating your life your family. 

Mom and Dad, you both work so hard. In your careers and at home. And the only reward you receive is personal satisfaction, which I know you rarely feel, since you are always striving for improvement. When I tire of after long days, I look to you both and wonder how you do it after so many years. When I look at the family situations around me, I realize that the overwhelming majority of people I know do not have both of their birth parents in their lives, living and working together as a functional unit. I have always taken this granted. I appreciate how you always find a way to communicate and resolve conflicts, but I know that I will not truly understand the difficulty of this until I have a family of my own. 

Mom and Dad, I recognize that you are not perfect. No human is perfect. But I also recognize how fortunate I am to have parents who accept and support their children for all of their imperfections.

Mom and Dad, you are an inspiration to me. You work for your four children, but you have impacted so many more lives, directly and indirectly. Other parents look to you as an example and other children look to you for encouragement (many of my friends among them). Don't ever think that you aren't doing enough. You have done more than you know. Thank you for everything that you have done, are doing, and will do.

Gracias mis queridos padres. Os quiero mucho. 

Your Loving Daughter,

Holly