A Letter to My Parent

Dear Mom/Dad,

I've been thinking about how to say all the things I should have said more often while we were both here.

Thank you. For everything. The sacrifices I didn't understand as a child but see so clearly now. The way you showed up, day after day, even when it was hard. The love you gave without ever keeping score.

I know we didn't always see eye to eye. There were times I was too stubborn to hear you, and times you probably felt the same about me. But underneath all of it, I always knew you were in my corner. That certainty gave me the foundation to build my whole life.

If there are things left unsaid between us, let me say them now:

• I'm sorry for the times I was careless with your feelings
• I forgive anything you might have worried about
• I'm proud to be your child

Please know that your legacy lives on in me - in the values you taught me, the love I give my own family, the way I try to show up for the people who matter.

You did good, Mom/Dad. Really good.

I love you, now and always.