For my last article for The Odyssey Online, I wanted to put the spotlight on the people who have made me who I am, my parents.

Thank you for all you have done, continue to do, and will do in the future for me. Whether it was carting me to friends houses, coming to gymnastics meets, or just being an ear to listen over the phone. I am thankful for all of the little moments that we have shared and will remember them for the rest of my life.

Let me start with my mom.

Mom,

Thank you for your unconditional love, understanding, and showing me how to live my life with all of the sunshine you can find. You have shown me from the beginning what it is like to be strong, independent, and gracious. You never fail to help those around you- commonly putting others above yourself because that is just who you are. It is a trait of yours that I have picked up and I will be eternally grateful for. Continuously you have taught me what it means to be a wonderful daughter, mother, sister, and friend through your everyday interactions with those around you. These lessons are the type of thing that cannot be bought and I am so happy to have learned them from you. You have led me to where I am today with your strong heart and your determination and without that I would be lost. I applaud your ability to deal with what life threw at you when we were younger and I still watch in awe as you handle things that I cannot imagine having to deal with. I have watched you spend countless hours helping, healing, and nurturing Kyle who has endured hundreds of doctors visits and more surgeries than I can count, and there wasn't a moment you weren't there at his side. I am not only thankful to have you as my mom, but also thankful that Kyle has you as his mom too.

Dad,

Thank you for all of the support that you have given me throughout my life. Thank you for pushing me thus provoking me to push myself, for showing me that I do have what it takes and for giving me the strength to keep going each and every day. You have given me the power to believe in myself in ways that I never thought possible. You have shown me that I am capable even when others and myself think that I am not. Your never ending support has never gone away and it is something that I have taken for granted many times. Thank you for your practical skills that you have passed onto me- the ability to track an animal may not come in handy every day in my life, but the more you know... right? Thank you for showing me what it is like to stand by someone you love through thick and thin and love them unconditionally through it. Thank you for showing me strength and perseverance in everything you do. Your determination and stubbornness that drives me up a wall is something that I have grown to value and have even noticed in myself. The dad jokes and the weird traditions that we have are something I will truly hold in my heart as special.

You both have worked hard to get me where I am, and for that, I am eternally grateful. I don't know where I would be without you (besides not here at all). I hope that you know that no matter what you both have shaped me into the person that I am today and I am so happy that I have had both of you in my life. I hope that you know just how proud I am to call you both my parents.

Love you lots,

Me