Dear Dad,

It’s been ten years since you left us, and only now do I know how strong you really were. Thank you for creating a house full of love and hope, and thank you for sending my brothers and sisters through college. I’m sorry I didn’t finish.

Thank you for teaching me to love music, the only thing I’ve been able to truly love in this world. I got tuition assistance to a great music school, and I’m entering a piano competition next year. I will play for you in the competition, and I know for certain the music will be more beautiful because of it. But I won’t play to win, because you would want me to just play well. I can see how big your smile would be hearing me play, even if I missed a thousand notes.

I know I will never be as strong as you, but I see a million times over more beauty in this world because you were in it. Thank you.

A thousand more notes for you, and all that I am.

Matt, Age 31