“Your Parents”

Posted by Sarahbear on July 26, 2010

I began writing my 30 days of letters yesterday. The first letter was to be to your best friend and the second to your crush/boyfriend. Chad is my best friend and my spouse so I combined a letter to him for both days. If he wants to share it he can, on his blog. Day 3 is to your parents. I was raised, mostly, by my grandparents. Specifically my grandmother. And so, I’ve decided this letter would be for her. I’ve handwritten her a copy and put it in the mail.

I mentioned before that I felt the project was meant to tell the people on the list the things you needed to tell them. This is a letter I am comfortable posting on my blog. We don’t thank the people in our lives enough for the things they do. So, here it goes.

Dear Nana,

I started this project called ’30 days of letters’. Each day you write to a person on a list and tell them whatever is on your heart. Day 1 starts with your best friend, day 2 is your spouse and day 3 is your parents. Considering you are responsible for the majority of my rearing, I decided that this letter belonged to you.

I want you to know how grateful I am that you were around for me when no one else was. You had the single, biggest impact on the person I am today. I am glad you showed me how to be humble, thankful and grateful. You taught me how to be an optimistic person while also teaching me to be realistic. To look for the good in people and to accept them just as they are. Because of your influence I am able to forgive people who have wronged me, to move forward with my life and not dwell on things while feeling sorry for myself and holding grudges.

You taught me how to budget money. It may not have seemed like I was paying attention at the time, but your grocery shopping advice has gotten us through some tight spots. You taught me how to take care of our clothes and how to love cooking. You taught me to love my babies unconditionally.

I appreciate all of the sacrifices you made for me. After raising your six kids, you opened your heart and your home to many of your grandkids. You spent your free time shuttling me around to church, flag practice, football games and friends houses. You set aside money and helped me participate in a lot of things we really could not afford.

You instilled in me a love of reading and crafty hobbies. You taught me to be considerate and thoughtful, particularly when choosing gifts for people. You gave me stability, a church family and because of that, many of the friendships I hold dear today.

You were my soft place to land.

I truly appreciate everything you have done for me. Everything that turned me into the person I am today. You are the strongest, most incredible woman in my life and I love you dearly.

Love you so much,

Sarah

I’m hoping this letter encourages her quick recovery from her knee replacement and keeps her in good spirits through the tough physical therapy. We really should make more time to talk to people and communicate like this.