A Letter to my Mom & Dad

I don’t usually write on weekends.  But today…I recollect. Remember. Appreciate…my parents.  Today is their 45th Wedding Anniversary.  This is my letter to them….

Dear Mom and Dad,

Just to call you that.  To say, not Mom or Dad.  Not, Step Mom or Step Dad. But, Mom and Dad….as one.

Rare.  Beautiful words. Words I appreciate more and more….over the years.

So unaware.  Until I got married.  The strength.  Fortitude. Perseverance. Love it takes to  remain…
Mom and Dad.

Mom – The years of training.  You taught.  I watched.  

The cooking dinners before Dad got home.  Preparing. Anticipating, head of household.

Respecting. Honoring.  Serving. Not being gone….or talking with friends….or shopping when He got through…from long hours in the rain.

Just attentively waiting for Dad to get home.  The importance of Him knowing.  His faithfulness…to you…appreciated.

Dad – Your dedication.  The value of you coming home each night….and staying home on weekends. You could have been off to bars, or football games, or golf.  Anywhere, but at home….with Mom. But you weren’t.  You were there. 

The strength to not just be there…but lead. Faithfully. Continually.  Not stopping for one selfish moment. Not complaining…which you could have done…so many times.  

But, just being there.

The value you placed on each other.  Important. Primary focus.  Love.  God.

Taking us to church.  Often times, no words…just tears streaming. Now knowing…you were willingly embracing grace in those moments. 

Standing united…One. When teens came your way. Or trials.  Or obstacles.  Never wavering. Clinging to Jesus.  

Thank you.

You showed us how to love. Offer grace. Give…even when we didn’t feel like it.  

You showed us the United States….38 of them, in fact. All of them….in a van. Around the country.  For 6 weeks. 

I will never forget.

How many people can be stuck in a van for 6 weeks together and survive?  Let alone….love it.

But, we loved it.

Being together.  Talking late at nights.  Bonfires.  No distractions.  Just wide open skies.

Joy stemming from the love you held tight to.  The faith you both drew from.  The place inside that kept you….

Holding hands.  Decades later.  Sharing hearts with one another.  Growing, changing with each other.

When troubles came…not running…though tempting…..but cleaving.  Together. As one.

Thank you.

I appreciate you.  Family….by the grace of Him.  Who has been with us…not against us. 

Mom and Dad.  I am thankful. 

I Love You,

Jen