Living away from my family has provided me with a new appreciation for them. It’s amazing that I had to leave the country to begin to appreciate them like this, but I’m glad I did.
Cami,
Ever since the day you were born I have been so in love with you. You have always made me proud. You are so good at any sport you play and your maturity is far beyond your years. You have such a beautiful heart. I see you have a passion for kids and I hope you find a way to incorporate kids into your life- whether that means being a mom or a teacher. I want nothing more than your happiness. I want you to know I will always support you in anything you want to do. I still consider you to be so little but I know time will fly. So just know that even after I get home and officially move out you have a home away from home with me. I love you so much- I wish I could tell you how much I love you but it’s impossible to put into words. You are my best friend always and forever.
Being away from home and seeing little girls your age here has given me a new appreciation for you. They are very family oriented here, and seeing an older sister care for her little sister like they do here has made me realize I would give up anything to take care of you like a parent if that’s what needed to happen. You are so worth it.
Alex,
Hey, bud. You are the most beautiful human alive. You got all the good genes but it’s okay, I’ve made my peace peace with it. I just wanted to tell you that you have become such an amazing guy. You have overcome so many challenges and done so with maturity. I’m so proud of everything you’ve done and continue to do. I know you are going places. Ever since you were little you’ve been able to start any sport and excel at it. Your athleticism has always been a topic of conversation in our family and rightfully so. You are so talented and smart. I hope you are proud of yourself and who you have become, because you deserve to be proud of yourself.
Every boy I see here reminds me of you. Life here is so different. All the teenage boys are fast and athletic. The other day one of the bus attendants ran across the top of the bus… while the bus was moving. And I just thought about how that is so something you would do. I really believe you are going places bro. Love you beyond words. Miss that crazy hair of yours.
Mom,
You truly are a woman warrior. You have been through so much, but you have never let it affect your performance as a mom. You have had a couple scary medical incidents but that’s never ever made you stumble as my mother. Your strength is what has gotten me through a lot. You are a very logical thinker and you have done an amazing job of teaching me about life in general. A lot of my thinking patterns are thanks to you- and that’s something I’m very thankful for because you really are the smartest person I know.
Everyday I see women here walking miles up and down the mountain to go to the market. I see women cooking for hours in their smoky kitchens. I see women cut down corn with babies strapped to their backs. Now, I know that’s not the kind of life we live in the states… but I have no doubt in my mind that if we did live a life like that you would do it all flawlessly. You are the strongest and most selfless woman I know and so many of the women here remind me of you.
Dad,
I remember when I was around 12 or 13 you were talking about how I would probably soon go through a phase where I didn’t want to be around you or spend time with you… well that never happened. I’ve been yours since the day I was born and not a day has gone by where I haven’t wanted my dad. You are my absolute favorite guy and always will be. No guy could ever ever ever compare to you. You are my hero.
The men here work so hard. They spends the days cutting down corn and carrying them on their backs. And I know they do it all for your family. And everything you’ve ever done has been for your family. You are the hardest worker. You have spent late nights alone at the office and weeks away from your family. But it’s always been because you want to provide the best life for us. And you have. You are amazing and so appreciated.
