Growing up today is confusing. The lines between right and wrong are constantly blurred and it is hard to avoid hate and anger. Growing up is stressful and difficult. The stakes are higher than they have ever been and being able to make a living is becoming harder and harder as time goes on. Growing up is unpredictable. The world is changing and we can no longer be confident in our safety. While growing up the last several years has become all the more difficult, I am lucky that I have had parents to help me get through it.

Thank you for raising me to be determined to reach my goals. You taught me that I could do whatever I set my mind to and encouraged me to work hard to get there.

Thank you for making sure I became a good person. Thank you for teaching me to be compassionate and open to the views of others. Thank you for teaching me to respect everyone no matter how different we are.

Thank you for protecting me and getting me out of bad situations. You may have seemed over protective at the time, but you were only doing what you thought was best.

Thank you for providing me with everything I need to succeed. No matter what was going on in your life or what was bothering you, you have made sure I have everything I could possibly need.

Thank you for making me feel safe. Some days, it feels like the world is falling apart, but when I'm home, that feeling goes away.

Thank you for giving me someone to talk to. Whether you could help me or not, I have always had someone to listen when I needed.

Thank you for being my parents. My childhood may not have been perfect, but I wouldn't change anything.

Now that I am gaining more independence, I am realizing how much you have done for me. Even though the world is scary, you have given me all you can and I know I will be okay.