Thank You Dad

I want to thank you, dad, for everything you have done to give me, and my sister, the best and most stable life possible.

I know you gave up a lot for us, even if you don’t say it. We know.

I know my rare disease of 22 q deletion, that has autism along with it, has presented itself with it’s own set of problems, along with losing your wife when your children were fairly young.

I have heard you fight for us.

I’ve heard you struggle to not put me in the special needs classroom, but to get me a speech therapist so I could talk. For that I am incredibly grateful.

I’ve heard you over the phone arguing with the insurance on what I need, and what medications they would cover. I am so grateful.

I’ve seen you age over the years, and yet you didn’t complain. You never wavered. Even after your stroke you still went back to work so you could try and put your girls through school, and keep the good insurance.

That makes me cry because I know that you should have retired then, but didn’t have the luxury.

I am more grateful for you than I could ever imagine.

I know we weren’t entirely easy, me especially. I have often felt like a burden, even though you have NEVER mentioned that to me.

I just hated how much more difficult things seemed for you in order to get me things I needed. And my meltdowns didn’t help, and for that I truly apologize.

I am learning to handle things better, and to reign them in.

That is why I decided to live with you instead of my sister. I wanted to help you in your last decade or so of life, the way you helped us.

I know I can’t do much for bills, but I didn’t want you to be alone. And thanks to the Social Security you helped get me, I am able to pay for my half.

I never wanted you to be alone, and you deserve so much.

I will try and find a way to have you be able to go to Africa, your dream trip. I know your energy is fading as each year passes, but I still want to try and make that possible.

You deserve it so much, and more.

Because of you I had a life of stability, and being worry free-save for my continuum of surgeries. For that I’m more grateful than I could ever express.

I’m also grateful to have a chance to tell someone about you. Because I know you don’t like praise, and you just do what you think is right, I want to tell the world how fantastic my father is, so for that again-thank you.

Your loving daughter, Natasha.

Written by, Natasha Gerberding

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