Thank You To A Very Special Person

I want to take time today and thank a very special person. This letter goes out to over 600 people. I want to say thank you to all of you; however, one of you really stands out above all the rest. You see awhile back I started using Mail Chimp to send out my newsletters. Mail Chimp keeps track of everyone for me and gives me a report. As I was going over the report, one person stood out. I didn’t know he was reading my newsletters because he never mentioned them. He has read every one. This letter is for you because of your support and faith in me. I dedicate this to you.

Have you ever heard the song In The Living Years by Mike and the Mechanics? I was listening to it the other day, and as tears were streaming down my face, I made the decision to write this letter. Thank you to everyone for allowing me this little indulgence. Maybe you will find a meaning in it as well.

First of all, I want to thank you for listening to the worries of a nervous mother who said something was wrong with her baby. I know how much you hate going to the doctor, but you never hesitated when it came to my care. If they had not caught my cancer so soon, I would never have made it to my first birthday. I want to say thank you for being there and supporting me. For paying the bills and never complaining.

I want to say thank you for buying me Dusty. He and I spent so much time together riding all over the countryside with Laddie by our side. I have no idea if you worried when we were gone, but I bet you did. I do when ever my kids are out of my sight. Maybe that is just me, but I don’t think so. Dusty was a faithful horse and he taught me so many of life’s lessons. Laddie is the reason I love long-haired German Shepherds. Thank you for trusting me and having faith that I would return home after every ride. I could fill a book with all the stories of the DLJ adventures.

I want to thank you for moving us to the farm. I know you wonder if it was the right thing to do. I know I might be showing my selfish side when I say this but for me it was the perfect life. I loved the animals. All of them. Now as I look back, I even enjoyed all the hard work. Not always the cold weather it had to be carried out in, but that taught me to do what needs to be done no matter what. Again I could fill a book with all the lessons I learned on the farm, but that is not the purpose now maybe someday soon.

I want to say thank you for giving me away one more time. This time to Laurence. I’m so glad for both our sakes. I want to say thank you for always being there when I needed advice or a shoulder. I want to say thank you for the guidance and freedom. I want to say thank you for loving me with a depth that has no end.

I remember the surprise trip home over The Blues just so I could see you in my time of need. The look on your face when you walked out of the house and saw me was one of wonder, fear, love, and hope all rolled into one.

MASH is still my favorite show because Hawkeye reminds me of you. I don’t watch it as much as I did in college but I still enjoy it. I know you don’t know how or why I think of you when I see him but I do. Maybe it is his quiet toughness and the advice he gives mixed with the fact that you kind of look like him. I should say he looks like you. I knew you before I knew him.
I want to say thank you for forgiving me when I messed things up. I want to say thank you for being the perfect example of what a parent should be. I want to say thank you for being my dad. I am so proud of you. I am so glad I am your daughter. I am so profoundly touched by you every day and I am grateful for you. I just wanted to take a moment and let you know.
I look forward to many more family reunions. I think we should make the next one in Hawaii. I know how much you love it. I want to go scuba diving with you and the sea turtles.

I love you, Dad.

Thanks for blessing my life.

Your loving daughter,
Me.