Growing up the youngest of three children and the only girl, I’ve learned a lot about boys and their brains and why they are the way they are. Scary, I know. Granted I’m no expert, but I do think I’ve accumulated enough knowledge to handle myself in a conversation about fishing or working out or trucks or anything having to do with a ‘man’s’ work. Okay, I may not be able to win in an argument but I can at least keep up when these topics enter casual conversation. I have three people to thank for this knowledge. The first being my dad.
Dad, you taught me so many things and you continue to do so. You taught me to never settle, no matter if it’s with a boy or with softball. You taught me how to have a good taste in music. From the time I was born, you had Elton John and James Taylor and Dan Fogelberg playing in the house, along with so many others. You taught me how to dance (on feet at least). You coached me in t-ball, in soccer, in rec league softball, and you continue to coach me through life. You worked weird hours when I was little, but you always managed to be at every recital and awards program and game I had, even if you had to jump in a funeral line to get to work on time.You were never and will never be an absent father, and I can’t ever thank you enough for that. I watched a lot of my friends miss out on opportunities and trips because they had to be at their mom’s or their dad’s that weekend. I’m so thankful for the effort and time you invested in the boys and I. Know that nothing you do goes unnoticed. You stayed by my side through every trial I have faced and you never let me go. It’s going to be weird moving out, but I’ll always be your girl. I love you daddy.
The next person I have to thank is my oldest brother, Edgar. You are my best friend, even if you were the first person to tell me no. You taught me how to hold a guitar and what the strings were and how to play it. You let me sing with you and intrude your house whenever. You were my rock in middle school and you still are today. You do weird things with me and put up with my completely not funny sense of humor. You pay for things when I forget my wallet and take me to indoor trampoline parks. You don’t take me too seriously and set me straight when I am wrong. I told you the other day that I would never forget when you were late to class because I didn’t want to go to school, so you stayed home until I felt happy enough to go. I’m so blessed to have you as a brother, and to know you as a person. I don’t know who I would complain to when certain letters in the mail make me mad or when I'm stuck behind an idiot in traffic. Thank you for never giving up on me, no matter how many chances I give you to.
Last, but in no way the least, Peter. You are also my best friend and I can honestly say that you are my hero. I’ve told you so many times, but I am honored to be your sister. I’m honored to know you and to call you my person. You are the strongest person I know. You face adversity so calmly that it is mesmerizing. Thank you for fighting with me in high school and making me late to class in the mornings. Thank you for being difficult and complicated. By being these things, you taught me how to loosen up and live. You taught me how to understand people, how to read people, and how to include people. I had the joy of watching you grow into an amazing man in May and now I’m watching you struggle with physical sickness. Peter, know that if anyone can win this fight, it is you. I’m so grateful that you showed me tough love, because it made me a better person. I aspire to be like you. Thank you for serving. Thank you for being you.
So Dad, Edgar, and Peter, thank you for showing me what unconditional love is, no matter how many times I don’t deserve it. Thank you for showing me how a man should treat a woman. Thank you for accepting me into your lives with open arms. I love you.
