Dear Elizabeth,
This semester, in Positive Psychology, we were asked to write a letter of gratification for someone that we are thankful for, or has impacted our life, that we wanted to thank. Although, I consider myself blessed with an amazing support system, surrounded by family members and friends, when I stop and think about who has shaped me as an individual the most in the last years of my life, I think of your three boys.
When I met the boys in 2009, just newly an adult, I was lost and confused with what my purpose was, or who I was exactly. I never thought after 5 years, that I would be thanking Noah, Nathaniel, and Asher for the answers. I can never thank you enough, for letting me experience almost every mile stone so far in their lives, with you and Pete. I can probably go on for days about how each of the boys have shaped me into the person I am today, all while watching them grow.
I wouldn’t be even writing this paper if it wasn’t for Noah. After leaving Slippery Rock, my psychology degree was always in the back of my mind, but honestly, I wasn’t sure if I could do the work, until one day Noah asked me to continue my education, so I could “help boys like him”, that night I applied for Penn State, and here I am. Noah is an intelligent young man, who fills me with knowledge every time I speak with him. He asks questions, that make me think outside of my own personal thoughts, and often teaches me more than I could teach him.
Although, I felt like Nathaniel was the one who took me the longest to “warm up to” he has shown me that it’s okay to show emotions, and also, he has shown me the creative side in which I once had growing up. He has taught me the ability that sometimes I need to just sit back and observe, and take it all in, something I struggled with for many years prior. Nathaniel’s heart is incredible, I’m thankful that he has finally opened up more with me over the last few years.
There’s so much I can say about Asher. I just never thought when I met him when he was just six months old, that both of us would be growing together. As a baby, he was new to this world, and in a way, I was also. He became one of my best friends long before he even said his first word.
All three of the boys have helped me grow into the individual I am today by putting large responsibilities in my life, filling the room with laughter when I couldn’t even smile, helping with my fear of insects/bugs, and preparing myself for my career and my own family someday. I’m so happy to watch them grow into amazing individuals, but in a way, it makes my heart heavy, because as the boys get older, so do I, which makes me realize that the days as their “Miss Megan” are winding down. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of their lives, but in a way, a part of your family. I will never be able to show you how much I appreciate it.