You weren’t perfect, and you certainly weren’t my dream come true. Sometimes you were rude, and usually you were sarcastic, but you taught me to grow a thicker skin. You taught me a lot of things, really. You helped me through my first job and showed me a sassy new side of myself that I had always been too scared to unleash. You helped me through a hard time in my life, but you never made things easier because it was a constant and loving struggle for a new beginning.
Our fights were short because you taught me to take a step back and realize how easily we could move on. Sometimes that meant going out with my friends and coming back to you in an hour. Sometimes that meant a phone call because your voice always brought a smile to my face even when I wanted to push you off a cliff.
Some days you made me cynical about the world, but in the end, you taught me that boys will come and go, but happiness is mine. You showed me that I have a choice and responsibility to place my joy into the hands of people I believe in. You taught me that even the kindest hearts will tear you down sometimes, but having faith in their potential, instead of their mistakes, is the only way to indulge in a life of true love. You taught me to laugh at myself and not to sweat the little things. Your sisters taught me to enjoy every moment and your Harvard acceptance taught me to have faith in my ability to reach for the stars.
Along the way, I think I taught you a few things, too. I taught you how to cook and the importance of house skills, which sounds silly, but nobody loves their mom more than the moment they realize they can't even flip pancakes. I taught you to love yourself for the flawed man you are, and I hope I taught you to see the best in the world.
I've taught myself something this summer: People are willing to teach you everything you need to know about the world. The only catch is that you share in their pain and embrace a life where failure is acceptable and being nervous for an adventure is ordinary. Being uncomfortable is the only way to learn new things, and what a waste of youth it would be to leave an adventure stranded in the imagination.
