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