Dear Ma and Pa Kettle…

Dear Mum and Dad,

Sadly, somehow you both managed to ‘Leave town’ without me truly expressing my thankfulness to you… you weren’t in the habit of wearing your emotion on your sleeve, but that shouldn’t let me off the hook.

Where on earth would I be without you? Definitely, ‘up a creek without a paddle’! Or more precisely, not even in the vicinity of the creek!

As futile as trying to harness the waves, so too is my effort to adequately thank you for freely pouring yourself out for our family… for me.

You were quite the pair… fire and ice; convivial and sensible; laid back and disciplined. You showered us with love… one with laughter, hugs and kisses… the other with selfless, thankless ‘love in action’ . Opposites in almost every way conceivable… Mum, you ran a ‘tight ship’ everything super organised… while Dad flew by the seat of his pants. Dad, your mad-cap personality was reflected in your chaotic garden of pumpkins growing in timber piles; prickly chokos climbing custard apple trees and roses interspersed with cherry tomatoes sown haphazardly sown by the birds.

Despite being less than perfect, I’m extremely grateful for the wonderful role models you both were… hardworking, whether it was convenient or not; honest without being brutal and hospitable on a shoestring budget.

Ahead of your time, before Inclusivity was a catch cry, we were raised to warmly welcome lame ducks joining us each week for dinner… Mum cooking up a storm and Dad entertaining us all with wildly outlandish tales. Your open home and hearts also overflowed in your generous support of charities.

It’s impossible to fathom just how much of me is down to sharing your genetic soup and what is due to my upbringing. My love of reading stretches back to the far reaches of my foggy mind. Mum, how I loved perching on the edge of my bed, hanging on every word of our nightly bedtime stories. I still believe that the best presents to receive are books… just as they were as I steadily ascended in years! Regular visits to the local library were always enjoyable and something which has become a tradition with my own children. Thank you!

What an amazing gift to be given… not just books, but a love of reading! I’ve been able to travel the world without leaving home, regardless of my health or financial status. Time travel has also been possible… even just a quick peep into the beginning of the Bible transports me back to a time before people existed.

Closely linked with reading is my newly discovered love of writing. Again, thanks Mum! Your amazing letter writing skill encouraged countless family, friends and missionaries. After I moved away from home, your weekly epistles kept me up to date with hometown and family happenings… helping me stave off any waves of homelessness threatening to overwhelm me. Christmas letters and cards were an annual marathon in which I now also partake. How wonderful it is, reading the replies and news from scattered family and friends… keeping connected despite distance or circumstances.

Most importantly of all… thank you so much for introducing me to Jesus, his generous love and forgiveness. Thanks, for leading by example and trying to live like him.

These meagre thoughts and thanks barely scratch the surface of all you have done for and with me… the blessings are still flowing on to my children, your precious grandchildren.

Since neither of you were prone to waxing lyrical regarding touchy feely emotions, I’ll call it a day and say…

I love you!

I miss you!

Thanks for being my parents!

Lots of love,

From your best & worst daughter!

***

Written for the Letters of Gratitude challenge…