"a letter to your parents"
Dear Mom and Dad:
Although I'm a writer at heart, I really don't have the words to express my feelings for you. Mom you are one of my very best friends. You have always loved me unconditionally just like a mother is supposed to and you've taught me what's important in life--experiences! You always put us first before anything and everything much to the chagrin of other people's opinions. I remember growing up in our old house with a leaky roof and peeling paint but nonetheless, if we wanted to play softball, cheer, try out for majorette or take a vacation to the beach--THAT was more important to you. I know you still hurt from the loss of Maw Maw. I do too and that in no way means I am saying my pain is as great or greater than yours. But I wish more than anything I could get you to understand that she IS with the Lord. She is not hurting anymore and she is anxiously waiting for us to join her on GOD'S time, not ours. I know that when we DO get there, it will seem like no time has passed. She is up there rocking her babies and mine just like she used to rock all of us and Kayti and Dylan. She is up there whispering more good ideas into God's ear (i.e. Brooke) and enjoying all the things she enjoyed here. This was just her temporary home as it is ours. I am not trying to say that you shouldn't grieve or cry or miss her---that's not possible. But count it joy as well that she is with the One she called upon.
I also want to thank you, Mom for my wonderful childhood. As I said before, you always put time with us and the things we needed and/or wanted before anything else and as a result, I have a huge vault in my mind and heart of wonderful memories. I only hope that I'm giving my own kids HALF the happy childhood you gave me, even when it was "You and Me Against the World".
I also love how so very accepting you are. You are the least judgmental person I have ever met--you love and accept anybody and everybody regardless of the bad choices they may sometimes make. I know you hurt when it's one of us girls that makes the bad choice but you are always there to listen with an open mind and heart and you never make us feel more guilty than we should feel. You are my mothering and teaching mentor and you are my kids' best friend as well. They think you rock! They call you first with all their good news and love being around you. You saw them take their first steps, taught them to go potty, tie their shoes, share their toys, read and be kind to others--all the important things in life!
Daddy, I know you are physically hurting these days and oh how that breaks my heart. I so wish you could enjoy this time in your life--you have SO earned it! There are not very many men in this world who care to spend as much time with their own biological kids as you spent with me. If not for you, I dont think I'd have a healthy opinion of men at all. You came in and stepped up and became a dad before you ever HAD to be. It was you that took me to the movies, held my hand when I was scared, comforted me when I was mad at mom, worked tirelessly on my car, worked overtime to pay for the designer jeans I just HAD to have and scooped me up in your arms when I hit my first homerun! It was you that walked me down the aisle twenty-one years ago and befriended the man I chose to be my husband (so much so that sometimes I think you like him more than me! haha) and it was you that waited at the hospital until the late hours to hold your grandchildren. And they love their "Pop" so much! If not for you, Dylan wouldn't own a car, much less a boat! You are always thinking of others even when you don't feel well.
Mom and Dad I just want you to know how very much I love both of you and am SO thankful that God chose ME to be your daughter. I am so blessed and so is everyone that has ever met either one of you.
Your oldest, most stubborn, headstrong, wild, feisty, loud daughter,
Chel
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