Thank You

Mom, thank you for teaching me how to organize my thoughts, talk to patients, and keep my life generally organized (even if it’s organized clutter). Thank you for teaching me how to play suitcase Tetris so bags are packed in such a way they don’t explode when I open them and things are easy to find and retrieve. Thank you for teaching me the importance of pajama days and taking time for myself. Thank you for instilling a love of knowledge spanning all subjects and teaching me how to apply those things practically. Thank you for teaching me to be open minded and how to recognize and accept everyone’s belief no matter how much they differ from mine. Thank you for teaching me to be true to myself, and for teaching me I am more than capable of exceeding expectations. Thank you for instilling the thrill of adventure within my heart. 

Dad, thank you for teaching me how to do things like connecting a gas bottle or jury-rigging a fix for my toilet. Thank you for teaching me how to laugh at myself and see the humor in the ridiculous. Thank you for teaching me how to focus and block out the world around me. Thank you for demonstrating the beauty of a simple life. Having learned how to cook over a campfire or do dishes in a bucket on a picnic table has made transitioning into life here a little easier. Thank you for teaching me “every rose has its thorns” and “it’s not enough just to stand outside the fire”. Thank you for teaching me it’s more than fine to have high standards and expectations especially in regards to how I am treated by others. Thank you for teaching me the power of a cup of coffee and how the best cup is had as the sun rises.  

Grandma, thank you for teaching me how to prepare a meal from “nothing”. Thank you for teaching me how to listen to myself and connect to my needs be they physical, emotional or spiritual. Thank you for teaching me how to sit and breathe, and thank you for teaching me to appreciate the world around me. Thank you for always recognizing and reinforcing my ability to see the beauty in everything even when things seem grim.  

Jonathan, thank you for being my brother and by default my best friend. Thank you for teaching me there is always someone I can count on (even if you don’t answer your texts). Thank you for teaching me I’m not alone in the world. 

Aunt Sue, Aunt Caroline and Aunt Chris, thank you for teaching me how to listen to another person’s heart. Thank you for teaching me it’s ok to embrace the weird within me, and how to open my heart to others. Thank you for teaching me how to laugh and how important it is to sing Broadway songs at the top of your lungs when you’re feeling down or how much peace can be found in a solo trip to the coast to reconnect (even if it isn’t on a Harley).

Gavin (cousin), Aunt Caroline, Aunt Sue, Aunt Chris, Katelyn (cousin), Mom, Jonathan, Me