An Open Letter to My Parents
By: Tasha Uliano
Dear Mom and Dad,
First of all, thank you for everything. I know that you worry about me more than you’d like to admit. I just want you to know that I am doing okay even when I’m not really doing okay. This is true because I’m proud of the woman you raised me to be today and I know even if things are hard at that moment, I will make it through. I appreciate everything you’ve ever done for me and continue to do for me. You both made sure my siblings and I had everything we’ve ever needed growing up, there’s absolutely nothing I can think of that you could’ve done for us but didn’t, because you both did it all. I wouldn’t trade either of you for the world.
You both have shown us what a family is supposed to be and how to handle ourselves in life. You both have shown us how important it is to work hard, because nothing will ever just be handed to us. You taught us to always show love where it is due and never to be greedy but always be grateful. You taught us that at the end of the day its family that will always have your back. I wanted to apologize for the stupid things I did throughout my teenage years, I don’t know how you raised us all so well.
Dad, you’re just so cool. You always made it a point for us to know not to take crap from anyone (or to lose a fight). But you also made it known that there will always be someone bigger and badder then me so I need to watch my back. I found this to be true in jobs where I was treated unfairly but there was nothing that could be done because as you told me, it was their business and not mine. You also taught me that the 2nd time you do something it’s no longer a mistake; but a choice. This stuck with me because it still prevents me from repeating my mistakes to this day. You always taught me to be tough and I appreciate that so much because it’s a cold world and people try so hard to walk all over others.
Mom, you never wanted us to be mean or rude because you don’t know what battles people are facing in their own lives. Even though we were always eager to tell Dad about our fights, I will never forget you saying, “Ladies don’t fight!” You always taught us how we were supposed to act as young ladies, (and one young man). You taught me the most important fact while dealing with relationships, COMMUNICATION really is key. Without it, any friendship, relationship, applying for jobs, will fail. You were right. You made so many sacrifices for your children throughout the years. Now that we are older I just want you to do some things for yourself to be happy. I want to say thank you for being my mom, and my best friend. I couldn’t imagine my life without you. You are the glue to our family and my number one fan.
There’s so much more I can say about the both of you but you know how much I love you. In today’s world it was more common growing up for people to come from divorced homes, as sad as it is to say. A few times people actually said how weird it was that I only had one set of parents. I always felt blessed that my parents were still together through the madness of the world. You taught me so much about love that I feel like I know exactly what I want from my life and what I don’t want, when it comes to starting my own family, not yet of course. But when the time comes I will know what it means to be a family thanks to the two of you.