Dear Dad
Artwork by Kimaya Sarin
Dear Dad,
A letter to the humble and strong one, the man who preaches to dream big and not let anyone get in the way of what you aspire to do. The electrician, exterminator, handyman and dad who would rather spend hours power washing the house instead of calling someone up to complete it in seconds. My favorite Beatles and Billy Joel duet partner - despite being tone deaf - and the man who taught me that there’s always going to be someone telling you you can’t. Who reminds me daily that above everything, family will always be there for you, and lastly life has no shortcuts, work hard because nothing comes easy. You inspire me day in and out with your creativity, strength and so much more… so I thank you dad.
I grew up in a competitive town, from ACT scores to soccer tryouts there was always someone better. In a family of athletes weeks were spent watching games, going to practice, running to ACT prep and spending time with friends. I was burnt out not only physically, but with the burden of stress and external pressure to go to a top school and the possibility of this determining my future (how tf did I know what I wanted to do in life). I was scared of failure and disappointment, don’t get me wrong I still am, but at such a young age every college or career talk ate me alive and consumed my thoughts. Between accommodations of others, club positions, extracurriculars I felt surrounded by competition. Despite the atmosphere, time and time again my parents were always there to remind my siblings and I that you have to earn your goals and continue to focus on yourself. Everyone says everything happens for a reason, and at 21-years old, I am getting to a point of trusting every process I experience.
Another lesson my dad has taught me and will forever stick with me is perspective. You have absolutely no f****** idea what someone’s been through, because we’re all going through something, so be kind. We’re in a world built on so much hate, hurt and difference that we need to be there for one another and simply checking in with loved ones and strangers is so important. While I am blessed to have a family who loves to travel across the globe and thrives off adventure, what I’ve taken away from these trips is the commonalities and differences of people around the corner and miles away.
Last, but not least, be present. Don’t focus or predict what may happen in the future, and instead accept people and your own flaws, because life and people aren’t perfect. To the elementary school bully making fun of your bat-mitzvah outfit or the high school girl who posted hurtful comments on your new post, understand that these are based on others' insecurities and life’s way too short to let them waste your time and attention. Something I struggle with daily, surrounded by a generation of people addicted to their phones and a filtered world, I sometimes forget to look around and never take a moment for granted. My parents have taught me to stop stressing about the past, learn from your mistakes and surround yourself with people that make you feel good.
— Jessie Garten