Dear Mom & Dad, thank you so much

Today I was walking in the rain

and sharing with my son (again) about some of the many gifts I have received from my parents.

My parents gave my brother and I wonderful gifts and experiences growing up.  But there were some gifts I  received that have lasted my lifetime, and I have tried to pass some of them forward.

I love to read

My home always had books growing up, we went to the library at least once a week.  I read comic books, I read the Hardy Boy mysteries, I read Freddy the Pig adventures … I read and I read.

It seemed natural for me growing up for everyone in the family to quietly read, on the couch, at the table, or even laying on the grass outside.

I still love reading, and what a limitless gift it has been in my life, and in my career to have a love of reading and an ability to focus.

I love to learn

I often watched documentaries growing up with my parents. My parents gave me learning gifts many years at Christmas time, including:

• chemistry sets
• microscope (it was really neat and had it’s own briefcase)
• steam engine

I love to try to do-it-myself

Both of my parents were handy. My Mom was artistic, and painted, drew, and made cards. Some of most priceless keepsakes are ones that my Mom made including a pencil drawing of my dog Tiger.

My Dad worked on do-it-yourself projects and changed his own oil and so on.

I learned quickly I didn’t have Mom’s talent but I was able to cut the grass, wash a car, change my oil,  do small art projects.

I don’t (usually) let fear of failure prevent my attempting something new

Dad did all types of projects that he taught himself. He made root beer, wine, sushi, put a cement floor in our garage, he built a garage door, he did flooring and plumbing, and much more.

I think that lesson about not being afraid to fail has been a wonderful gift.

If not for that I would never have tried so many things in my life  including:

• run a 10K
• learned to ride a bike
• gone on road trips
• taken tai chi classes
• taken step classes
• joined Toastmasters
• tried all types of home projects

Thanks Mom & Dad for the many, many ways you gave and still give to my life.  The memories and the lessons aren’t forgotten, in fact I treasure them. – David