Dear Dad,

Although the instructions were pretty clear that I was meant to write about me and my senior year, I couldn’t help but think of all the thank you’s I have yet to say to you. Before I begin I would like to tell you about the 2 awards I won for the column I wrote about you! I’m sure you’ve heard the 10 times I’ve read it aloud to myself when it wasn’t published, and the 10 more times I read it to Giuly. I hope you’re proud of me. I know a parent should always be proud, and I know you specifically were once proud of all my straight A essays and my in depth narratives, but I need the words told from you. I want you to know that because of you, I managed to get through senior year. Now that I got that covered, here are my thank you’s.

Thank you for always listening to me proofread my essays. You were the only one who saw the passion I had for writing and I never saw it. I believe that if I didn’t ask you that one night what you think I’m best at, I would be lost in what I would want to major in. I’m sure it would’ve come to me eventually, but for a minute I thought accounting- which we both know I’m not good with numbers. I take every essay, every story I have to do seriously because of you. Every word that I type out is because of you. I enjoy writing so much more now that you’re gone. You can now see my process and how stressful I get.

Thank you for giving me everything I ever needed. Whether it’s clothes, money or advice, you were always there. And now that you’re gone, I can see that I took that for granted. Yes, I was always overly grateful but I never once heard a “Thank You” come out of my mouth. You saved me so many times and yet not a “Thank You” was said. I regret it so much, but hey, now you know.

Thank you for listening. It’s hard to hear, but you’ve actually helped me at my lowest moments. The moments where I thought I was worthless and took up the space of your non-existent, perfect daughter. You’ve saved me and I forever thank you for that. There were times where I wanted to confide in you but I never had the guts to say anything. 

Thank you for never giving up. I’ve seen moments in your life that I shouldn’t have, but part of me believes that if I wasn’t nosy, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Whether it was financial issues, arguments with mom, or your stressful schedule, I learned something great about you and life in general; never give up. I know it’s cheesy but you never let go of anything. You even never gave up on yourself the weekend you passed. You held on so hard and that was shown. You were at your weakest but kept on reminding yourself that you could do anything. Beating yourself up every night in that hospital. You held on so tight to the thought of fighting that cancer. And I’m proud to say that my father was the most tenacious man on planet earth, and I mean that.

Thank you for your everlasting support and unconditional love. Truly mean it. I seriously do not know who I would be without you guiding me every step of the way. I’ve finally made it through 14 years of non-stop misery. You, dad, were the reasons why I passed math and English. I’m lucky enough to have been held by a man who knew nothing, but taught me the way of life for 18 years. Thank you dad for being yourself and may you always rest in peace.

Your daughter, 

Agustina