This is a letter I wrote at the request of Teresa’s Sorority that they would read to her at their ceremony for graduating seniors.  My intention was to write something that would mke her cry.  Instead it made me cry!

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(Audio: link)

[audio:http://www.RunRunLive.com/PodcastEpisodes/Membership/Teresa-final.mp3]

Link Teresa-final.mp3

First, let me say that I love Teresa and I’m very proud of her.  If she was here I’d give her a long deep hug.  And so would the dog.

When I was first confronted with having the responsibility of children I was terrified.  Who was I to bring life into the world? I could barely keep my own stuff together how could I be responsible for the lives of other humans?

As a parent you quickly discover that children are, from the very start, unique individuals.  Teresa had a journey of her own.  It wasn’t really about me.  I kept it simple and committed to love unconditionally and to hug her as often as I could.  I wasn’t the captain of her journey, she was.  I was just here to help, and hug.

I don’t care what our kids do with their lives as long as they’re happy.  As long as they have a purpose.  My job, my great privilege, is to give them the opportunities that I was given and the love that they deserve.

The journey is theirs.

And what a journey!

Teresa was born late in the summer and that made her the youngest if not the smallest in her class.  They tried to talk her mother into delaying Teresa a year to give her a better chance.  Yvonne would have none of it and insisted Teresa start when she could because Teresa was already harder-working and was already smarter than most of the other kids in her grade.

And she was tenacious.  Once she decided to do something it was going to get done.  It didn’t matter what it was, or what the challenge was she was going to take it on and do it.

Picture Teresa at 6 or 7 years old on the soccer team.  She’s a foot shorter and 10 pounds lighter than everyone else.  Her shorts are too big.  Her uniform shirt is hanging off her like a sale.  The coach doesn’t want to let her play in the games because she’s tiny.  (And he’s frankly a bit of a dick – you know how it is with town sports).

Finally he lets her into the game and she is like a wild animal out there – attacking the ball like someone possessed, singularly focused on competing and winning.  The coaches are laughing because this wee little thing is whirling around the field like it’s the Olympic finals.

And that’s how Teresa approaches life.  She only has one speed.  Full on. 100%.  She’s way harder on herself than we could ever be.

All through grade-school and prep-school parent/teacher conferences were like alien encounters. They’d wrap up in 5-10 minutes.

“Teresa is great.  She does all the work. She helps all the other kids…no issues, keep up the good work.”

The tenacity is obvious to anyone who has known her or competed with her.  She is driven.  But there are some other things that they don’t notice, unless they know her, and watch her.

She is blessed with empathy.  She truly cares for other people (and animals) in a deep and emotional way and this calls her to a life of service.  I’m so happy for her to have this ability.  Because true fulfillment in life comes from helping others, from giving without expectation of return and without expectation of thanks or praise.  Teresa is a true friend and will emotionally lift many of the people she touches on her journey.

And she is humble.  She works and strives and follows the rules because it is the right thing to do in her coda of life, not because she seeks fame or fortune.

And within her there is great strength.  I can see the turmoil in her and how she manages her small craft amidst the storm waves of her journey.  There is a deep reservoir of courage there.

I find myself quite blessed and deeply grateful to have Teresa in my life.  From the sturdy, small baby with a full head of hair, to the incredible athlete and scholar and woman she has become.

This is world of infinite opportunity for you kid.  This world is a better place with you in it.

Don’t hide your light.  Let the world know what Teresa has in store for them!  Time for some great adventures!

Congratulations, I love you and I’m proud of you.

Cheers,

Your Dad.