To My Parents

I want you to know that if not for you... I would not be the person I am today.

Throughout everything you were there to hold my hand, to wipe my tears, to heal my wounds, to encourage me, and yes to discipline me when needed. I want you to know that although I did not appreciate your strictness as a child... I do now as an adult. It is because of you that I am the person I am today.

You sacrificed for me, yet never complained...You did without so I might have what I desired and needed...Through your sac rifice you have taught me to be giving and that sometimes you have to forego one to get the other. My giving nature and all that I am I owe to you.

You've lived through so much more than children of my generation ever realized. Yet through your strength of character you did not allow it to make you bitter... You suffered the indignities of others in the times of segregation and racism, but sheltered us and taught us to respect others, especially our elders because they, and you, are the ones who have gotten us to today. My character, my respectfulness and all I am I owe to you.

Through your integrity you taught me to be true to myself, to not let others lead me down the wrong paths... to realize and admit when I am wrong... to realize when I am part of the problem and not blame things on others. My integrity and all I am I owe to you.

You taught me not to settle, to always strive for something better, and to do my best no matter what the task... my drive, my ambition, my work ethic and all that I am I owe to you.

Through your strength you taught me how to stand up for myself and showed me how to stand strong in the face of adversity. My strength and all that I am I owe to you.

Through your love you taught me the meaning of love, how to show love... to give love... and to receive love. My love and all that I am I owe to you.

It is in today's world... where there is such disrespect of others... where children are defiant and curse at their parents... where there are those that are not willing to try...where there are those that are all to willing to blame others for their probl ems...that I see the gifts you have given me and am eternally grateful for these lessons... and wish that everyone could have been raised by parents like you.

You are my role models for love, for strength, for character, for integrity...You are my role models for life.... You always have been and always will be my heroes.

With love your daughter