Dear Parents

Dear Parents,

We've got a long road ahead so I should say this now.

Thanks for going through all the diapers and band aids. From the stories I've heard I was one interesting baby.

Thanks for the flintstone vitamins, grape flavored cough syrup, the doctor visits, the hugs, cleaning play-doh out the carpet, stepping on legos, teaching me to ride a bike, the life lessons, the hugs, the late night egg salad sandwiches, the hugs, the hugs. The hugs.

Those moments where bonding isn't forced and just kinda happens, those are nice. And truth be told I will remember that more than any family vacation.

I can't count the number of times that you've told me that you will be there if I need you or I can talk to you if I'm in trouble. Even though each time is probably the millionth time, keep saying it. It works. Somewhere inside I really do feel like you'll always be there for me if I need you.

Thanks for letting me make decisions for myself as I get older. I know you have the tendency to want to save me from everything, but don't be afraid of letting me make my own mistakes because the truth is that everyone has to make them. I make mistakes and don't know what I'm doing sometimes. I'm human. Try to remember that of me and I will try the same with you. I have many dreams and goals. Some of them are not what you might have wanted for me, but support anyway is highly recommended.

And for god's sakes if you have a daughter, don't read her diary and especially don't read her diary, freak out and then confront her about it. She secretly loses a lot of trust in you and she won't come to talk to you about anything. And that takes years to get back.

Thanks for teaching me to love reading and to love learning. All the trips to the book store and the library, I realize how important those were now.

Thanks for teaching me to be accepting of others, that everyone is different and that is okay and that I don't have to follow what other people do. You taught me to love and accept other as well as love and accept myself. The more I meet and hear about other people's parents and families the more I realize how fortunate I am to have you.

Sincerely and with love,
The Kid