Dear Mom,
Thank you for coming to my college graduation. It meant so much to me to have you and Olivia there. You should have seen me last night when I spoke in front of the entire graduating class. I know you would have been proud, but I didn't want you to have to come to both the general commencement and the smaller, college commencement, since I know how much you dislike traveling.
I never forgave you for missing my high school graduation until today. Do you remember the day? I barely remember it. I just know that we got into a fight about something that I can't even remember and so you decided to stay at home while Dad and Olivia came. It is ironic that Dad got to see me graduate from high school and you got to see me graduate from college.
Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to travel to see me graduate. I could not have done it without your continued support and love. It takes a very understanding mother to stick with a son who switch majors more times than I can count and took six and a half years only to get an undergraduate degree. I only hope that I can make you proud by what I with do with my education.
Love,
Pat
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Dear Dad
Dear Dad,
To begin, I am sorry I never wrote you this letter. For the tireless hours, days, and years you worked to comfortably put me through school and life, I never said "thank you" enough. You both showed and taught me what hard work really is on a daily basis and while I may not have worked hard growing up, I am definitely working hard now. I know you always said that you worked so hard so I would never have to work as hard as you. But now that I am older, I believe you were wrong. Hard work was not something you needed to protect me from. It is something that protects me now by giving me meaning and purpose in life.
Because of your example, I am inspired everyday to work as hard as you did to teach and help the community that I live in, as you did for me and our family. While it would be easy for me to resent the countless weekends, winter, spring, and summer breaks I spent working in the restaurant growing up, I cherish the memory. While my classmates were busy partying, I was learning and preparing for the harder battles ahead. There is no doubt that I would not have been able to persevere through college or teaching without the invaluable experiences I had working for you and learning what it meant to serve the family and community.
You never saw me graduate from college; nor did you see me go to Africa my first, second, third, or fourth time; nor did you see me become a teacher. I never worked hard enough when I had the chance to show you what you had taught me. However, your hard work was not in vain. Mom, Olivia, and I still live very comfortably and happily. And even though I will oftentimes work 16 hour days, hard work is not something that I do, rather part of who I am. Like you, I am never satisfied with my work, knowing that with more time and effort, I can always do better and I can always do more.
I remember the Sunday mornings that we would play tennis before you would still have to go to work for the rest of the day, the summer that you took off of work only to drive me to visit colleges while I would sleep in the back of the car, and the afternoons you would come home to mow the lawn in your work clothes and go straight back to the restaurant. Everyday, you taught me what it means to care about others more than your self, a lesson that I think about everyday of my life.
I never appreciated you enough when I had the chance. However, my everyday actions and accomplishments are hopefully a tribute to you and everything that you taught me. Whenever I am complimented for being a hard worker or a caring person, I know that it is because of you.
Love,
Pat
To begin, I am sorry I never wrote you this letter. For the tireless hours, days, and years you worked to comfortably put me through school and life, I never said "thank you" enough. You both showed and taught me what hard work really is on a daily basis and while I may not have worked hard growing up, I am definitely working hard now. I know you always said that you worked so hard so I would never have to work as hard as you. But now that I am older, I believe you were wrong. Hard work was not something you needed to protect me from. It is something that protects me now by giving me meaning and purpose in life.
Because of your example, I am inspired everyday to work as hard as you did to teach and help the community that I live in, as you did for me and our family. While it would be easy for me to resent the countless weekends, winter, spring, and summer breaks I spent working in the restaurant growing up, I cherish the memory. While my classmates were busy partying, I was learning and preparing for the harder battles ahead. There is no doubt that I would not have been able to persevere through college or teaching without the invaluable experiences I had working for you and learning what it meant to serve the family and community.
You never saw me graduate from college; nor did you see me go to Africa my first, second, third, or fourth time; nor did you see me become a teacher. I never worked hard enough when I had the chance to show you what you had taught me. However, your hard work was not in vain. Mom, Olivia, and I still live very comfortably and happily. And even though I will oftentimes work 16 hour days, hard work is not something that I do, rather part of who I am. Like you, I am never satisfied with my work, knowing that with more time and effort, I can always do better and I can always do more.
I remember the Sunday mornings that we would play tennis before you would still have to go to work for the rest of the day, the summer that you took off of work only to drive me to visit colleges while I would sleep in the back of the car, and the afternoons you would come home to mow the lawn in your work clothes and go straight back to the restaurant. Everyday, you taught me what it means to care about others more than your self, a lesson that I think about everyday of my life.
I never appreciated you enough when I had the chance. However, my everyday actions and accomplishments are hopefully a tribute to you and everything that you taught me. Whenever I am complimented for being a hard worker or a caring person, I know that it is because of you.
Love,
Pat
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