Happy Father's Day

I wish you could see yourself through my eyes. I wish you could see how much you inspire me. I watch you each day, I see your beautiful face, still beautiful, but different somehow. The years are going by so fast. You're getting older, and there are so many things that I want to tell you. About my life. So many more things I want you to see me do. So many special moments I want to share with you. I want to share the rest of my life with you.

Kids grow up, move out and no longer need their parents but I will always need you. Always. I remember when I was little, you would carry me on your back when I was too tired to walk. You would hurt for me whenever I came home with a new scab from school. You wouldn't admit it, but I could tell in your eyes that every time I was sick, you wish you could take all my pain away. I always thought it was normal to have one parent. Now I know, it was because you were enough. You played two roles. I can't begin to imagine how many nights you cried. Alone. Tired. No one to run to. I never once heard you complain. You never missed anything in our lives. You were always present and still are. At birthdays, graduations, school trips, recitals, school performances, games etc... you were always there. Here. How do you do it?

Today, you still carry me. My struggles, my trials. Your heart breaks every time I take a wrong turn in life. You cry when I'm quiet, because through my silence, you know there is definitely something wrong. You swear to protect me so I will never get hurt and your advice for my life is always Golden. When I was a teenager, on the days when I didn't come home all weekend, I'd knock on the door and you would open it with tired eyes. As if you were up for days waiting for me. I'm sorry for putting you through that.

Whenever I talked about a dream, or a goal, ohhh! How you always want it more than I do. You don't want it for yourself, but you want SO much for me, to reach my goals. Live my dreams. Whenever I feel like quitting, I find the courage to keep trying because of the passion and eagerness I see in you. For me. Thank you for your constant support. We didn't have everything we wanted but we definitely had everything we needed.

I can never imagine how lonely or sad you feel. You never showed it. Raising us all by yourself. I know you miss him. I know, there is probably never a day that goes by that you don't hurt. You never felt sorry for yourself. You stayed strong and kept moving forward. Carried all our burdens on your own. You keep telling us to remember who we are. Families are forever, and you are always reminding us of the blessings that await us on the other side.

I am lucky to have you. I can say, I have truly experienced love. Not once, but twice in this lifetime. Through our Savior's sacrifice, and through my wonderful mother. I leave this letter unfinished because, nothing is final. Our story continues. Now until forever. There will always be words left unsaid. Home is not home without you.

I love you mom. Thank you. For giving us your all. Happy Father's Day.

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Yours forever,

Me