Thank you

Since I continue to beat myself up about not saying everything I wanted to say to my parents I would like to say thank you to them for a few things, although a month before or so before they passed I sent an email to some Family and Friends that included the words to the song "Say" by John Mayer. I was touched by the lyrics and felt we should go on living our life but saying the things we needed to say to the people that we love the most. After I sent that email did I quickly call my parents and tell them everything I always wanted to tell them? Of course not. All of my Family members tell me over and over that my Parents for certain knew how much I loved them. Actually tonight I was talking to my Grandfather's girlfriend of many years who was also very close to my Mother & Father and in between tears she was teasing me for how much I used to call my Mom and Dad when they were at the Lake. She said, "we would try to eat dinner or play cards and you would just call and call and call..". I loved bugging them. I don't care how busy I was I always made time to call the folks. And then there was February when Mom and Dad were in Key West. I kept calling them and Aunt Linda would yell in the background as they were eating oysters at a little bar on the Water, "will you stop calling??" Of course she was joking but it was quite obvious I had a bit of a problem with calling them!

Mom and Dad,
I've told you in my prayers and many times in between since you passed how thankful I am for everything. I am thankful for how you raised me, I am thankful for all of the memories you made possible for us kids, I am thankful for you and Dad putting up with me when there were clothing wars throughout grade school, I am thankful for your financial help with College and
for a beautiful wedding, I am thankful for how you treated Family and Friends as this taught me how to value these relationships, I am thankful for how fun you were as parents, I am thankful for how caring you were with Grandpa Olszowy, your Grandson Aydan and anyone that may have been in need. I am thankful for you always accepting my many phone calls to sit there and listen to me complain while you were trying to enjoy your favorite TV show. But Honestly, can I tell you the most thing I am thankful for? It was your involvement in my life. You coming to where ever we lived to help out or to simply "hang out", going out to dinner with Ted and I, cooking us a great meal, stupid things like hanging up every picture, art, and shelves that we have in this entire house, cleaning out my fridge while yelling, "how old is this??", baking Ted his favorite chocolate cheesecake. It's those small things that I am so thankful for because you enjoyed being here with us while doing them. Honestly, you could have given me nothing toward College or a Wedding and I would still be sooooo thankful for the type of parents you were to me, the money thing means nothing...it honestly doesn't but often that is what children ending up thanking their parents the most for. Who cares if your College was paid for? It's the unconditional love that matters the most and shapes you to be a pretty darn good individual.

You never knocked, you never asked to open my fridge, you knew exactly which room was yours, you knew your away around every town we lived in............these little things are truly priceless. Money absolutely cannot buy everything, in fact,
the best moments in life are free. It's whether or not you ever stop long enough to notice them.

I love you always and I am thankful for the life you have given me and the life that you will continue to guide me on.

Until we meet again, my sweet Parents.