May 17, 2005

Dear Dana,

When you were born, your dad and I were delighted! We could barely believe that we finally had a daughter of our own, a child that belonged to just us. We think you ought to know however that you were a procrastinator even then, making an arrival into the world a full three weeks late!

When you were only two, you said that you would never leave us. We cherished that thought because we knew it was a promise you could not keep. But how could we have understood just how quickly your time with us would pass? When you were just five, you asked us if it was okay for people to burn the flag. Honestly, that was so out of the blue your dad could only ask what you thought — and you definitely had an opinion.

A few moments later you were in junior high, and we watched in awe as you challenged the school board in a public forum. Even though the outcome wouldn’t affect you directly, and despite warnings that the issue was too controversial, you saw it as a matter of principle and stood up when others could not find a way to do so. You made a choice that day, to act on your beliefs. Your dad and I were not the only people impressed — you were on the news and quoted in the paper. You made a stand for others, and you did it well! Perhaps even then we didn’t realize where you were heading in life, but it seems that you’ve known all along. By the time you were in high school, and on to college you were doing things that were beyond anything we could have ever imagined. You continue to amaze us, your dreams are large.

Through the years we’ve watched how kind and generous you’ve been to your friends and how you’ve loved and cared for your pets. We saw that you truly understood the concept of good sportsmanship; that friendship and honesty were always more important to you than winning at any cost. We’ve watched you fight tenaciously for what you believe in, and we’ve also noticed how often you have unselfishly helped to create opportunities for others, usually at your own expense. You have character and you have integrity, those values will serve you well.

This day has come so quickly — you are about to graduate from college! It has taken your dad and I every bit of this time to realize that you do not completely belong to us at all, at least not in the way we believed on that day you were born. In truth, God merely lent you to us, until you were ready for the world — and we were so very privileged for it. You are a very special individual in the world community and we will always love and cherish you. On this day we send to you our heartfelt congratulations on all that you have accomplished, and all that you are.

Love,
Mom and Dad

P.S. Congratulations and best of luck with your new job, we are so proud of you! We know that you will be working to make the world a better place!