An open letter to my papa

Dear papa,

Tomorrow is your birthday.

Tomorrow is your birthday and I am veclempt at what to give you. Every gift seems inadequate to give to a person as important as you are. Everything I think of is not nearly enough. Anything I could get you would pale in comparison.

You are the foundation of my life, the basis of my personality and the conscience on my shoulder. I would be lost without you.

In addition to my feelings of inadequacy, I am also experiencing distress over what you need that you don't already have, something I have struggled with ever since I realized that you already have everything you want. (Or don't want, depending upon how you look at it) I remember buying you a movie one year after begging you to not buy it for yourself in the days leading up to your birthday. I was so positive that you would beat me to the punch that I actually told you what I was getting you so you would not give in to the impulse to purchase it beforehand!

So with these two struggles in mind, please accept my pre-birthday-gift-apology for my meager offerings this year. Please understand that although I am limited in my choices for this, it represents how much I love you and wish I could show you what you mean to me.

And since you don't read my blog, I will say that I hope you like the Carhartts. I think that you could use them when you are clearing the driveway of snow this winter, hunting for elk up in the mountains and chasing down your son as he gets into all sorts of trouble. I want you to stay warm and take care of yourself, and this is the best way I know to help you do that.

And dad, I know that you feel like you have some regrets from my wedding in July. Please don't feel that way. I am happy that you supported me that day and were there with me. That is all I need.

Love always,

~K~