Dear Daddy,
You work really hard. It may not seem like I, or my siblings, notice but we really do. And we appreciate it. I know you do it for us. And your job is way not easy. Lately you have been working eleven hour days, five and often six days a week. Plus you have to go on business trips to places which I know is not your favorite thing. Then you sometimes have to work from home too on your off days. When you aren't working on your job you are making our house a nicer place to live. When we bought this place seven years ago it was not a home. The thorns and weeds were choking what grass there was left in the yard, the basement was a hole, the kitchen was falling apart. Those are just a few of the issues. Since then you have made it a home. You've made it some place we want and love to be. Coming home, tired from your job, you worked on this house or worked to pay for someone else to. The basement is great, the main level is lovely and all the bathrooms are usable now. :) The yard looks amazing. The thorns and weeds are gone, the garden looks good, the grass (which you labored over) is green. And WE HAVE A TREE HOUSE!!!!!! Best thing ever. It was really fun working without on that with you.
Thanks for being Coach Dad (remember when Jenn called you that on accident and everyone else began to as well?). You were the assistant coach on my very first team when I was four. And you coached Lauren her whole life up until this year. You have also coached Ana many seasons and have poured in time with DLB'S team too. I mean, that is three to five nights of practice for eighteen weeks a year. Not to mention every Saturday being full of games. I remember when you coached three soccer teams at the same time for a year or two, when no one else would step up. I don't how you did it. Dealing with a team six year olds is hard on its own. At the same time putting up with two teams which were either hitting puberty or just beginning to come out of it.... I can't even imagine. You were so patient. And I don't care how many times anyone thanked you for what you did, it doesn't cover it. You are incredible.
And thanks for helping me with math and science. Especially math. I know math is something that is pretty easy for you, but it is very, very hard for me. I really appreciate you taking the time after dinner, when you were tired and wanted to go to bed, to come and help me. I know it was frustrating for you why I didn't get it, and sometimes I refused to even try but thanks for sticking with me on that.
Thanks for teaching me how to ski! I know I snowboard now but hitting the mountains is something I will always love, mostly because it means I get to hang out with you. Thanks for teaching me yourself and also sometimes making me take ski school. It has made me a much better rider. And I really enjoy it now.
I love going out to breakfast or coffee with you. And we would eat huge pancakes and you would teach me how to play Rummy or Go Fish. Now we talk and laugh and have great discussions. These are memories that are really special. It is so wonderful to spend one on one time with you.
Thank you for being there for me. I know I have not been a very easy kid to have. For one thing I have had a lot of large medical expenses, I mean, just this year I have been really ill and have had to have surgery and other things going on. Plus with my huge sensory issues I have had almost all the therapies which have been offered. Also braces. And up until I was twelve or thirteen I had zero filter and said things and did things and made faces I shouldn't have (my filter still is not very good but it is a lot better thanks to you and mom).
I know I, and those other kids you have, do a lot to bug you. We fight and complain and do stupid things and make you mad. But thanks for loving us and spending time with us and working for us. I love you. And I am so glad you are my dad.
Love,
Lela
