Letter to My parents 부모

Day 6

Dear Mum & Dad,


I guess I have to start at the beginning and say thanks for everything.
These letters really make me stop and sift through my memories, it’s a bit like gold panning. I scoop up a big bunch of stuff from my mind and swish it around to get rid of the boring bits like school, cleaning my room, homework, housework,  and
chocolate
. Then I spend snatches of time exploring the memories and emotions left over; every now and then a sparkle of gold catches me.
Some memories make me laugh
Other memories make me shake my head and wonder what on earth you were thinking!
Then I think about our pets:  cats,  tortoise, fish, ,hamsters, rabbits and (tadpoles??); have I missed any? If there was an animal that needed a home and I found out about it, I was headed straight to you Dad – because I would feed it, and I would look after it!

I think I can attribute my love of big words to you Mum. You once furiously admonished (big words ) me for ‘contradicting you’. From that point on I figured, “hey, if I’m going to get into trouble for it, I should at least understand what I did!”.
I also remember being homesick whenever I was away from you. School camp, and others. I longed to be home, where I was harboured and anchored. You sheltered me and accepted me, creating a world  for me that was safe.
I think more than anything, the abiding truth of your parenting is that you worked so hard for us to be happy. For us to have the things we needed, as well as some of the things we wanted so we could thrive and follow our dreams. I wonder if sometimes you doubt that you really gave that to us. But you did, and both of your daughters are now in their own way finding and following their dreams. We will always be held in the knowledge that you are proud of us, proud of the people we are as sisters, daughters and friends.
This letter feels weird, suspended somewhere between funny and emotional, like it isn’t complete. There are so many things I would love to write but this just isn’t the place for it. The good thing is that I know I can say those things to you in person. I can tell you how much I love you and hug you. You will always be ‘home’ to the little girl inside of me and there is something very special about just being with you. Anytime and  every time. I know I have been gifted with strong, loving, encouraging, loyal and supportive parents. I hope that I reflect the wonderful example you have always been to me.
I also hope Mum, that I never contradict you again.


I Love you both.
xxoo