A Love Letter to My Parents

Written By: Kim - Apr• 15•15

September 8, 1987

Well folks, I’m all moved into my new apartment and about to start another phase of my life – living outside the home for the first time. It will be some experience with Stef, but I’m sure we’ll get through it.

You know I’ll miss you both very much, even though I’d never let on…I even feel a little guilty. I mean, all this money being spent so that I can better myself and no real benefit to you two except helping your child. I guess that’s what being a loving, caring parent is. One day I suppose I’ll understand the sacrifices that both of you make just to help me. I am loved!

A Love Letter to My Parents

A Love Letter to My Parents

Daddy, I never really got the chance or took the time to tell you how much your hard work means to me. I know you’ve worked hard so that you can put me through college. I love you very, very much Daddy. I will always be your little girl. I’d never want to grow out of that position.

Mom, I didn’t forget you. I realize that you and I have had differences of opinions in the past, but that is part of my growing up. You taught me respect for myself and others – probably the most important thing a child should learn. Although I’ve said some shocking things and even thought about them, I always hear your voice and it keeps me on the straight and narrow. Don’t worry too much. I’ve got a good head on my shoulders. I do realize that all of your nagging was because you loved me. If you didn’t, who knows how I would have turned out. There is nothing like a mother’s love – not even Daddy with all of greatness could replace you. I’m just glad that I didn’t have to find out.

I will try my best to make you both proud of me. I’ve got all of the basics – the things that you both taught me: self-respect, honesty, backbone, integrity (no brown-nosing), love of God and others. The most important is love because without it, the other characteristics would not have developed. Both of you showed me what real love is and I know in my heart and mind that I am the luckiest child to be blest with parents like you.

I love you both very, very, very much.

[Signed] Child #5, Kimberly Ann

 

[Note: I was going through some paperwork recently and found this letter to my parents. After spending two years at our local community college, I was off to

Troy University graduation, June 1990.

Troy University graduation, June 1990.

Troy University to finish my college degree. Not only was I the first child in our family and both of my parents immediate family to graduate from college, I was the first one to get a master’s degree. My mother passed away in 2002. My father is still alive, but not online. I wanted to immortalize their sacrifice on my blog. Thank you Marie A. and Emory C. Wickline.]

The Limited Coat that Offers Decades of Warmth

Written By: Kim - Jan• 08•14
The 1989 coat from The Limited. Still in excellent condition.

The 1989 coat from The Limited. Still in excellent condition.

When I moved to Washington, DC, in 1989, from Alabama, I begged my frugal, depression-era mother to purchase this amazing, modern, dark navy blue wool coat that hits about mid-calf. I was starting a journalism internship at the National Journalism Center and would be in the metro area until mid-December.

The coat was from The Limited and they had layaway, if I recall correctly. It was hot as hell that summer, like it normally is in southern Alabama, and putting a coat on layaway, especially one this intense, seemed silly. But I knew I would need it for the fall internship in DC. I had a thinner car coat, which was normally sufficient in an Alabama winter where we might end up wearing shorts on Christmas Day. In 1989 in Washington, DC., it snowed that Thanksgiving. I remember because my sister, who lived in Maryland, picked me up that Wednesday and we drove to her home as the snow accumulated.

We were a single paycheck family, I was the last of five and $200 was a lot of money. My father, as you may recall, served in the US Army as an enlisted GI. My mother was a homemaker and grew up in The Great Depression. In our home, there was a difference between necessity and luxury; between desire and need. After much negotiation on my part, she finally agreed.

Twenty-five years later, through weight gain and losses, pregnancies, five homes and three dogs, I still have this coat. I asked a tailor to replace the lining and added white alpaca fur around the collar and sleeves a few years ago just to give it a different look. The coat is in excellent shape and my parents definitely got their $200 out of it. In fact, it cost my parents roughly $8 annually for me to wear this coat since then.

On days when we experience frigid weather, especially as we have this week in the DC area, I am extremely grateful that I still have this coat. Maybe that’s why I still hang it in my closet. Aside from the fact that it’s still useful, my parents made a sacrifice for me, as they did often.

Paired with a pair of knee-high leather boots and the memory of my my mother’s love, it’s all I need to stay warm.