Lately, I have been running through the process of analyzing the last few years of my life. In retrospect, a lot of the decisions I have made and paths I have chosen to take have obviously assisted me in my journey to my current state of existence, one of which I can be decently proud of; however, in dealing with my past practices, I have also come to encounter one essential element in my transformation as a person: encouragement.
There are two people who have truly molded me into the person typing these words that could hopefully someday impact the world. There are two people I have put my entire being into resisting the terrifying prospect of disappointing either one of them in any way, shape or form. There are two people I strive to replicate in some fashion each and every day. These two people are Mr. Mike Martin, my father, and Mr. Zack Kirk, my teacher and mentor. I can genuinely say that I would be nowhere near the mere thought of who I would like to become some day had it not been for their guidance, drive and passion for what they do...Mr. Kirk,
You are the one person that can make me do absolutely anything. Your unyielding desire to learn, and in turn, introduce your knowledge into the world through teaching or writing gives me an adamant drive to do the same. I could never tell you no. If you asked me for the most outlandish and absurd favor in the entire universe, I would find some way to achieve that standard you set for me. I could not bare to dissatisfy you. And that is why I feel the need to thank you, because I believe that a massive aspect of my success throughout high school came from that fear of letting you down. I achieved so many things I never thought possible because the absolute horror of disappointing you ignited a fire inside me, and I felt I could do anything. I just wanted to thank you for that.
Daddy,
I know you read this blog, and it makes me so incredibly happy that you do because it keeps me writing. I feel like its our secret world because Mom and Bill don't even know about it, and I don't want them to know. I want it to be ours. I want to keep you informed, and I want your support more than anything. You have always led me to believe I could achieve whatever I wanted, and no matter how unrealistic that feat might be (I could NEVER become a chemist or doctor :P), just knowing you believe in me is entirely enough. We have always had a special connection; we are so similar, and I like to believe I have never let you down because that thought in and of itself makes me uneasy. I want to make you proud, which is another thing that has kept me striving for the absolute best throughout my life, and for that, I thank you. I love you.
To the two most important people in my life: I do not know where I would be without you, and I mean that. I really do.
