I could write you novels and it still wouldn’t be enough to express my gratitude and love for you. But, as you know, I have schoolwork to tend to so here is an extremely condensed version.
To my number one supporter, best friend, personal cheerleader, the strongest person I know and the person I am lucky enough to call my dad,
Thank you.
Your never-ending support and utmost patience over the last 19 years is something that I have only recently learned the value of. You are a true paragon of virtue. You have always been there for me, proving me wrong when I thought no one else was around.
Thank you for always taking my side and supporting me through everything. Thank you for instilling my love of all things Jewish (in the most backwards Phil Goldstein way) and sparking my love of politics. I may not acknowledge it often — certainly not as often as I should — but I know how hard you’ve tried to give me all the world has to offer (and in that you have succeeded). You will forever be my role model. Without you I would not be the woman I am today. And, not only am I thankful for your guidance but also for you being my friend and for teaching me to be as witty as you — believe it or not, it has gotten me far.
There is no one I’d rather have late night rants about the world, go grocery shopping at midnight or sing "Rack City" with. You are by far the most laid-back parent I know and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Thank you for teaching me about life with your almost surreal stories. Whether it was about your college professor, the insanity that ensued when you hung out with your friends, the craziness that you dealt with yesterday or the amazing connections that you had (I bet there aren't many people who have been friends with someone who dated Elvis Presley), I never once regretting sitting and listening. You are probably going to be the only person in my life to have ever owned a gas station, a car wash, a convenience store, to have worked at the race track and also have a Ph.D. in psychology. You may not know it, but with each and every story you have told me I have learned so much.
Your extreme intelligence and knowledge of the world is something that I have come to envy and strive to achieve. It has also been helpful in assisting me with my studies. I don't know how or if I would've survived high school if you hadn't spent countless hours helping me finish my work, usually extending into the early hours of the morning. Whether it was essays, projects or just regular homework, you never once said “no,” even when you had important affairs to attend to the following day.
And finally, in wake of recent events, thank you for all your courage and strength. Thank you for putting on a brave face at time when I thought no such thing was possible.
Stay fabulous, Phil! I love you!
Your favorite daughter (and BFF),
Sara
P.S. Stop stealing all my friends.
