A Letter To My Dad

Dear Dad,

Thank you for all the blood, sweat and tears you put forth to insure that your kids had everything they needed as children and for the values and morals you instilled in us. I am proud of the person you have helped shaped me into. I know that the best parts of me come from you and mom.

Thank you loving me unconditionally and accepting  my outspoken, loud personality. I know that you may tell me to quite down when I get "too excited" but you love me none the less and you've never tried to change me into some one else. You offer up advice and suggestions on things I could work on; like my temper or "loose" emotions but, you never make me feel like I am not good enough or should be better.

Thank you for sharing your softer side with me. You have shared your tears with me; I have heard the pain and struggle in your voice and have seen it in your eyes. I know this because there there was a time when I put you through hell; and even though it hurt beyond belief, in the end I think it brought us closer together.

Thank you for never giving up on me and for showing me tough love; you saved my life in doing so. I know at one time you stopped "bailing me out"  but, you never stopped loving me and you were always RIGHT there when I really needed you. 

Thank you for knowing the difference between when I really needed you and when I just wanted help. You knew when to come get me and when to tell me that I needed to figure it on my own. Thank you for having that courage and strength to do that and knowing when to do it.

Thank you for the times you offered advice and for the times you simply offered an "I love you" and a prayer. Thank you for all the cards you sent me and for being awesome enough to even send me a card from my dog! That is a great dad!

Thank you for being honest and for never cheating; at anything. Your loyalty and integrity have made you a person I deeply respect. I value all of your insight and knowledge because I know that you always do what is right and you never base choices off of greed or selfishness.Your level headiness is something I admire so often times I turn to you for advice.

Thank you for treating everyone with love and respect. Gossip is your least favorite thing and I know that you always try to see the positive in most situations. Thank you for teaching me how to offer a form of understanding to those suffering and for teaching me how important forgiveness is and how pointless grudges are. 

Thank you for being so connected to your faith. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me about it and for listening to my doubts as well as to my interpretations of the Bible. I won't forget the conversation we had recently at your dinner table. I felt a deeper connection, in not only our faith but, with you after that. 

Thank you for making an impression on my friends. There have been many childhood friends who have shared with me the impact you and mom made on their lives. A while back a girl from school sent me a message and told me that you were the person who introduced her to all the morals she has today and that you brought her closer to God. You took Megan in as if she was one of your own and you made her feel like she was part of a family.  Thank you for being more than just an influence on me but, for the many people who know you.  It's true... to know you is to love you.

I have so many more things to thank you for and I plan on telling you all about them some how. I am sure as time goes on there will be more and more things that make the list, since each day I am reminded of something that sets you apart from others. 

Thank you, Dad, for being you and for being the best father a girl could dream of.

Happy Father's Day.

Always your little girl,

 Teresa