Dad, I have a few things I need to get off my chest.

I was thinking the other day about all of the responsibility that you took on when you married Mom. You were the the same age as my oldest son is now, and you married a woman with two children. Two children who needed you very badly in their lives.

I can only imagine how scary and overwhelming that must have been for you. I look at the wedding pictures of you and Mom and I see a kid. But you were a kid who was willing to step in and take the place of my father; a man I've never met. Even though I was only five at the time, I remember how excited I was that I could call you "Daddy" after the wedding. I'd practiced all kinds of names in my head; eventually the name evolved into "Dad".

I remember when Mom wanted you to be the one to spank me for something that I'd done wrong, and then she went to the store. She knew that being punished by you would hurt me worse than anything she could ever do. When we were alone, you told me you didn't want to spank me, that you wanted to just discuss the situation, and that we were to keep that our little secret. You were willing to keep your end of the bargain when Mom came home and asked, but like George Washington, I couldn't tell a lie. I got that spanking anyway. The important thing was that I received a good lesson in parenting. Thank you. My kids thank you too.

I also thank you for bringing the most wonderful woman into my life. Your Aunt. She was my safety net, and though not related by blood, she stood by me through thick and thin. When I hear the song, "You Raise Me Up", I think of her even though I know it's supposed to be a song about God. She made me feel that I was a good person, and had value. She gave me complete unconditional love, something I'd not experienced before. Thank you for giving me a lifeline.

I remember when "we" adopted sis when I was nine. I felt like it was the end of something special that I had all of my own. Up until then, I was your little girl. I remember not wanting to come from school that day. I think I dawdled for at least a half an hour before coming home to see my new sister. Now I realize that was the best day of my life. I can't imagine my life without sis. Thank you for giving me my sister; my best friend.

Dad, I've never felt that I was anything less than your daughter. I don't know if you understand the magnitude of that statement. I know that we don't see eye-to-eye on religious and political issues, yet I know that you still love me. Thank you.

So Dad, I'll be thinking about these things when we go around the table at Thanksgiving and say the things we're grateful for. Even if I don't say it.