Dear Dad

Too much to say in one love letter. Today’s your birthday and I think I’ll just list a few of the things I am grateful for: Responsibility, I knew I could depend on you to help me out. Belonging, I looked like you and still do. Safety, I knew you cared about me deeply. Values, I knew what you stood for. You didn’t apologize for who you were and were committed to doing what was true for you. Even when it might have been harder than I imagined. Stability, so grateful for all the ways you showed up and took your role as protector father seriously. Support, for helping me through chiropractic school and taking on the job of negotiating and navigating the first space when I returned home to open my office. Advisor, for being a sounding board, letting me make my own choices, after you told me what you thought. Discernment, for not telling me that you thought I’d never finish school, until it became a funny story because I did. For bringing Marie into my life, she became a source of confidence of warmth, of care, of fierce feminine —even though I’m not sure she would even know those words. Celebration, you celebrated with me my achievements. I remember my first year in practice Thanksgiving celebration. You and Marie came and brought food. You also came in for weekly care. Love, you showed up always. I knew you loved me. Thank you for this and more.