A letter.

Dear God,

It's been a while, huh? Not sure if you're into blogs or not, but here we go...

I'd just like to thank you for a few things. First and foremost, my family. I took them for granted for a long time, but spending a weekend with them made me remember how much they mean to me. My father is my hero. I'll be so damn lucky if I grow up to be half the man and the parent that he is. Everything I've ever had to be thankful for was given to me by a man who grew up with very little to be happy about. My father grew up in horse barns all over the midwest, essentially raising his two younger sisters and working to survive. He was living on his own in a trailer in Seymour, Indiana, before he had a driver's license. I've heard so many stories about how my dad grew up and can't imagine what it must have been like. Without a high school diploma, he's made something successful out of himself and given a comfortable life to his family. I am more grateful for him than I can ever describe. I have his name, and couldn't be more proud of it.

My mother is a woman who made the best of what she had. She's my free-thinking, rebellious side. She stands up for what she believes in and would gladly die to save me. Thank you for giving me someone who will always remind what's important in life. Both my parents have sacrificed so much time and effort and money and comfort for my brothers and I that I could spend the rest of my life repaying them and still have an open tab. No one should go without parents who love them, and I live every day in debt to the people who have given me everything I have and everything I am. Thank you for my parents.

Sam and Chase are the rest of the equation. Since they were old enough to know what was going on, we have been friends. As we get older, it's easier to see all the things we have in common, even if we don't always acknowledge them. Our similarities far surpass our differences, and I know that will only become more apparent as we get older. I love my brothers for reminding me of everything I had when I was their age. It's easy for me to look at them and remember that time in my life and teach them everything I've learned since then. I want to be a good influence on them, because I know I already am. They look at me and try to be what I am, even if they're not capable of it yet. Thank you for the responsibility of helping them grow up into good people. Thank you for giving me the chance to make the most of myself so that I can help them do the same.

I could not ask for a more loving and supportive family. Everything I've been through, no matter how trying or sad or happy, they are always by my side. I can't have asked for a more loving family and I will always do what I can to let them know that I love them back.



Thanks again. Talk to you soon.

Max