you've
often let us see you err
and
taught us much about pride
and
how we may not always succeed
but
at least we know we've tried
you've
taught us compassion
and
all about "tough love"
you
cried with us over punishment
but
always ended it with a hug
you've
taught us tolerance
for
those not quite like us
whether
it be mental or physical
just
to help those as we must
you've
taught us to respect all beliefs
whether
or not we agree
to
allow others their opinions
regardless
of sex, race or creed
you've
taught us about acceptance
in
what we may or may not do
to
accept our limitations
and
to know the difference between the two
you've
taught us to always watch and learn
and
to always look for more
to
search and question and wonder why
to
read and constantly explore
you've
taught us to be proud of our accomplishments
in
word, in thought and in deed
to
know the difference between right and wrong
and
the importance of our own self esteem
you've
taught us what it means to care
about
ourselves and each other
to
take good care of our bodies and minds
and
to remember that one helps the other
you've
taught us to rely on ourselves
and
to depend on those that we trust
to
do for ourselves whenever we can
and
to know to get help when we must
you've
taught us how to be independent
to
use common sense and informed opinions
to
view the options and all the facts
to
accept responsibility for our own decisions
you've
taught us to be confident
in
all that we know and do
not
to brag or boast or exaggerate
just
to "let the truth speak for you"
you've
taught us to be considerate of others
in
how they think and feel
to
remember emotions can be fragile
and
what we feel is nothing, to someone can be real
you
both have received God's blessing
and
we are the ones that can see
that
you've always thought of putting us first
you've
taught us to think "we" not "me"
the
values we've been given
are
planted deep inside
and
though sometimes we may falter
we
have your love as our constant guide
you've
taught us not to limit ourselves
but
how to reach for the sky
to
open our hearts and be there for each other
never
needing to know or ask why
you've
given us your most precious gift
all
the love that you both have to share
accepting
us for who and what we've become
always
showing how much you care
you've
accepted our spouses, our children, our friends
no
hesitations, no questions, no reservations
you've
extended our family to include special people
you've
been our greatest inspiration
we've
been chosen to share our lives together
to
reap the rewards of family and love
to
grow to learn, to be everything we can be
to
be true to ourselves and God above
we
feel privileged that God has chosen you
to
raise us and be our father and mother
for
we can be no less than honest in saying
we
would have chosen no other
this
is just a small heartfelt way
to
thank you for all you've done and still do
we
honor you and give you all our love
and
thank God for his special gift to us, you
tyg
