Dear Dad,
I know there is history between us and that affects the way you view me. You have made mistakes in your life and I have made mistakes in mine. Please don't hold them against me. I am trying to be the best person I can be but I don't have all the answers. I need your help in finding some of these answers.
When I call I can hear disappointment in your voice when you hear it's me. I am sorry I have disappointed you Dad, I too, have to live with how the same things I did that disappointment me too. I realized though I can't dwell in the past because I can't change what happened, that I am a work in progress. Hopefully I will be someday where you are in your life but it may take me twenty years to do that. I think the world of you Dad and all you have done inspite of what you have been through and I hope you will see me this way someday soon!
I know that in your own way you have tried to help me. I know you think all I want is money but it's not, Dad, I want your love and attention. I may be all grown up but I am still your little girl inside and I want my Daddy to hold my hand and tell me things will get better tomorrow. I know you can't fix everything in my life for me, but Dad, sometimes I only want to talk to you about it and get your advice.
It would mean the world to me Dad, if you told me you were proud of me. Maybe I took a different road in life than you planned for me Dad, but it is my life and I have to live with the consequences of my actions.
I appreciate that you have tried to be there for me in my life but sometimes it feels like you haven't. I still call you and I still love you. I don't think you realize that I am reaching out to you because I don't want to lose you in the shuffle of our lives.
Please help me with your love and advice, I am listening, even thought you may think I'm not. Please be patient with me and don't ever leave me Dad. I need you and I love you!
Love
Your loving daughter
My Dad passed away in 2005 so it is too late to send a letter like this. I thought it could be from anyone's daughter. I encourage everyone to write their parent a letter like this if they can and express their feelings, (try and leave the anger and accusations out), and see what happens!
I hope this helps someone!!
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Comments: 9
Thanks Sheila, sometimes we can say things in letters we can't say in talking. I thought as I wrote this that someone might be able to use some of the ideas I expressed in a letter they might write. It was my attempt to put some feelings we have into words that not only express but clarify things. Parents seem sometimes to be so hard on their own because of history and I'm guilty of it too. Some of these things are what I wished I could have said to my Dad when I was much much younger. My advice to anyone is to write the letter, photocopy it and read it a few days later and if you are comfortable, send it. Sometimes when we express thoughts and feelings it opens up conversation...like I never knew you felt that way, I always loved you, I wish you had said something before this, you poor thing thinking I didn't love you....
I agree Elsie!