Gifts I Will Cherish Always

Turning a new decade is always a moment for reflection, but this year, my 60th, was marked by the most profound gift: a letter from my daughter, Valentina. I know how much words matter, both to her and to me, and reading her acknowledgment of our journey has left me speechless and overflowing with gratitude. Valentina Parish’s letter encapsulates the love and meaning of a life lived together that is treasured for all the moments, not just the ones that are deemed perfect.

I thought of my birthday gifts from all 3 of my daughters. Each one is a reflection of who they are and their amazing love. Victoria organized a birthday breakfast, Vivian orchestrated a fun outing of bowling, (Love Autumn’s little turn)

and Valentina took me out to dinner for a mother/daughter memory. Each one of these spoke so deeply to my heart and filled my soul with joy and gladness.

I was inspired to write this post due to my daughter’s letter. We read the letter together over dinner and talked through the memories, laughing and crying. She gave me permission to share the letter on my blog post. It’s amazing how life takes journeys that you need to be patient, have faith, and pray for each other through it all. The hardest moments could be the greatest victories in life if we just give it time.

If you can’t download:

Mom,
When I think of my life and where I am today, I could not imagine being here without you. You
have helped me through unimaginable things. When I think of the hard moments in my life, the
one thing that’s constant is your support and love keeping me going. from lying with me and
holding me at Tucker’s to visiting me and calling me while I was there to supporting me at Veritas
and visiting me every weekend and calling me every night. You’ve been there even when I
resented you and was angry with myself, which came out as anger towards you. I think of myself
as a child me spending the night in your room, us watching Captain Sunny Patch, and me
reading my books to you at night until you fell asleep. When I think of you turning 60, I think about
how I’ve only known you for a short period of time, even though I’ve known you for my whole life. The transformation I’ve seen in you over the past couple of years has been inspiring. You have put
yourself first, even when it’s hard, and even when it’s hard, you do it afraid. Even though we’ve
always been best friends, I feel like over these last few years we’ve grown closer and have
developed a relationship that I will cherish always. I love that we can be honest and open with
each other and that we can talk about anything without judgment. I also love that even in the
hardest of times, we can laugh and joke, like laughing about being hit by a car. I wanted to write
you this because I know how much words are important to you, and you mean the world to me,
and I couldn’t imagine my life without you. Even though I’ve said this much, there are still not
enough words to encapsulate how much I love you and how much you mean to me. No amount
of words or gifts and gestures could ever express the gratitude i have for everything you’ve
done for me and everything you will continue to do for me throughout my life. I’m glad that we’ve
been able to celebrate your 60th, and I’m so glad we could find the time to have dinner tonight to
celebrate the wonderful 60 years you’ve been positively impacting this world and everyone’s
lives. You do so much for everyone around you and are always there to support everyone, and
the work you’ve done in the mental health world is impeccable. Part of my journey into my
studies has been because of you. You inspire me every day to help others and to put my best
foot forward. Educationally, I look up to you, and you inspire me to achieve great things in my
studies. Every time someone recognizes me as “Anna Hebb’s” daughter, it makes me proud
because I know they love you and think of you highly. Thank you for everything you’ve done for
me and for raising me to be the person I am today. Here’s to 60 years and to love, happiness,
realness, and gratitude. I love you to the moon and back, forever, my sweet and loving mother.
love forever and ever,
Valentina Parish

Thank you, Parish, for an old memory of going to The Melting Pot and making it a surprise in a tucked-away space with roses, and a phone call from my friends to sing “Happy Birthday!” from Chicago!