I see that life goes fast and we all grow up fairly quick. Last night, I read my journal entries from the time I lived in Italy writing about my hopes and aspirations of my college years. Although those years have now come to pass, I noticed one very important element that was with me the entire way: Family. It is very important to tell the ones you love exactly that, that you love and adore them. As I get older and begin living more and more of my life, consequently, that may mean that I won't be able to see my family everyday because I am no longer a child - my youth is not as young as it use to be, but my love for my family will always remain strong. I encourage you, my readers, to remember that family is everything and our time on earth and with the ones we love is impermanent, thus it is important to tell our loved ones how much we really do appreciate them.
Dear Mom,
You are literally the steam to my dreams. I can not think of a person who has supported me more than you. Whether it was childhood dreams of attending enrichment programs at Mayor Daley College or growing up to become a MLB superstar, you encouraged it. You not only spent money on me, but you spent an incredible amount of dedication and love also. You and me both know that high school was tough and I still think about the time we cried together because I felt like no one was hearing me, but I noticed your true compassion the day after when you wrote me a beautiful card. Your hollering for days has made me the person I am today, whether it was from me receiving yet another disciplinary note for talking in class or because I scuffed up a new pair of Buster Brown shoes and my grey school pants. We have never had much money, but you ALWAYS managed to buy me that one thing that I really desired. Let's not forget the Pokemon cards and games, Beanie Baby conventions and WWF Wrestlers that are now bringing back such great memories. I went through college and even lived abroad with your words, "Don't worry about dating and you better not come home with no wife." I understand how hard it must be for a mother to slowly to slowly cut the everyday ties with her son, but so far, very good job momma. My dreams will never stop as will my love for you. Right now, I am just thinking about all the great times we had together during my childhood and now, during my young adulthood and I just gotta say Thanks, I love you. You are DOOO-WOOP to my life, the steam to my dreams and the 'once and always first lady of my heart.'
Dear Dad,
I definitely know that you are the reason for me being the great young man that I am today. You have instilled in me the strength and integrity of what a true man possesses. A specific journal entry from 2005 caught my eye and heart last night as I recounted the first time you said you loved me while I was a teenager. I can remember the joy in my heart and the level of shocked-ness I felt after you said that to me over the phone. You have always had a strong pressence in my life, especially when I would get in trouble at school. The discipline that you have taught me in my life has made me who I am today and although there were times when it seemed like I was going down the wrong road, you were there to bring me back to reality, my true destiny. Over the last few years, I have seen our relationship improve more and more into that which is very mature. It is no longer older man talking to little boy. It is now older man talking to younger man. It is man talking to man, but it will always remain Father talking to Son and I love that. I know I can always count on you. With the number of single parent households and no fathers to be found, I want to say thanks for being there. Thanks for whooping my ass when I played too much in class. Thanks for giving me such a big hug when I graduated from high school (I look forward to Graduation 2011). Thanks for always staying on top of me saying "B's are not good enough - Go for the Gold Alex. You can do it." And thanks for being the man you are because like I said, it is because of you that I am me.
Dear Ashley,
You may or may not know this, but you are the reason that I am so confident today. Who better else to protect her little heavy set brother than YOU. We attended two schools together and those were some of the best years because I looked up to you and I learned so much just seeing the beautiful sister that you were and ARE. (Anecdote) Remember the time, riding our bikes in front of school and I tried to do a cool trick and my tires busted and I bent my wheel? That memory will always stay with me in addition to every other summer fun in the sun and winter snow ball memory that we made. We are twins, we are side kicks, but definitely living our respective destinies. You are truly my best friend. Sometimes I look back regretting beating you up and calling you ugly, but you know what, if I didn't do those things and if you did not reciprocate, then we would not be the brother and sister we are today. Even in college, I looked up to you, admiring the way you carried yourself and kept such a strong head on your shoulders. Sister, you are very strong and there is a reason for that. As my hopes of moving to Los Angeles later this year reach fruition, I want you to remember that you will always be my sister and my other half, the other AE. I believe in you so much and I know great things are going to happen in your life. Just believe little big sis. I love you.
[Raw Material, El Fin]
