A letter to the parent who had to do it all alone,

I know it wasn't easy. Hell, I know it has been the hardest thing you've ever done. Let me start off by saying thank you. Thank you for trying your hardest to shelter me from all of the bad people, things, and occurrences in our world. You have always gone above and beyond to try to shield me from all of the bad yet make my eyes open wide for the amazing. You taught me how to find the beauty in everything; even on my worse days I can see the light and it's all because of you. It is the greatest sense in the world to be able to dig deeper and find the beauty even in the ugliest situations.

Thank you for always knowing when I'm having a bad day and being the only one who knows exactly how to make me feel better. Growing up, you have always been my shoulder to lean on, a hand to hold and the greatest of all, the one to catch my tears. I know you think it may have been easier if you had some help but I'm here to tell you I'm glad you have been my one and only.

You've taught me how to raise others up even when I'm feeling down. You've taught me to have sympathy, empathy, and pity on others. However, you've also engraved the fact that no one should ever take advantage of me into my brain. Through you I have learned you can't take anything for granted because it can be gone in the blink of an eye. Thanks to you, I always hold the ones I love closest, especially you.

Although you've taught me to see the good, you also made sure I can identify the bad. I learned how to keep those whom don't better me in a far away place. I learned that not everyone has the same heart as us. I learned that my big heart is going to be broken by those whom don't deserve it. Most importantly, I learned protecting my big heart doesn't always mean holding up a shield and a sword.

Sure, there were plenty of times you could have told me not to do something because you knew exactly how it would end. You could have told me not to chase after that guy, or the guy after that....or after that (ha) but instead you allowed me to make my own mistakes and learn from myself. This is something I have always appreciated and loved that you do for me. Although you made similar mistakes and knew the outcome, it didn't stop you from allowing me to learn on my own but still come to you teary eyed and in need of a shoulder to lean on.

I've needed to thank you for much more than putting a roof over my head and food on the table. There's more to being a parent than just providing the necessities. You have provided me with more knowledge, motivation, strength, and power within myself. You have shown how knowledge is power. You've shown me a kind heart goes much much further than aggressive words or physical reactions. You've taught me how to take care of my frustrations through writing, working out, or talking. You've provided me with strength during my darkest hours. Most of all, you've given me the power to be anyone and anything I wish to be.

So thank you for teaching me as a young woman that I do not need a man to be a successful, powerful, intelligent woman. One day, when I'm "out on my own" expect a call on my happiest days but also expect a call on my dark days. You have always been the one to celebrate me on my great days but show me the brighter side of my bad days.