I Am My Father's (and mother's) Daughter

I am my father's daughter
I have his eyes
I am the product of his sacrifice
I am the accumulation of the dreams of generations
And their stories live in me like holy water
I am my father's daughter

The lyrics above are from a song by Jewel. No judgement, please - when lyrics speak to me, they speak to me. I am a sucker for songs about father and daughter relationships. I've been lucky enough to have always had a special relationship with my dad. I can picture he and I in songs just like this one. I can never get through a song like this without shedding at least one tear, and thinking fondly about how fortunate I am to have a dad that loves, supports, and cherishes me.

The specific portion of this lyric that really spoke to me is this: "I am the accumulation of the dreams of generations; And their stories live in me like holy water." Wow. Yes. Exactly.

My parents have dreams. For themselves, for my sister and I. Before them, their parents, their parents' parents, had dreams. In our families, I assume that the dreams within each generation revolved around making a better life for their kids, their grandkids, their great grandkids.

You want to know why I assume that? Because of the stories my family tells me. Because of the life I have now. Joel and I wouldn't be where we are without our families and all they've both sacrificed and dreamed for us over the years.

But most of all - I assume our families have always had dreams that involved the betterment and well-being of their families because we're surrounded by really happy, loving, and amazing people. The only way that happens is when generation after generation passes those values down. It's up to us to hold these values close for passing down to those that come after us.

Give your father a squeeze. And your mother, aunts and uncles, grandparents, great grandparents. Reflect on the generations that came before you and that surround you. The dreamers. The dreamers that had big hopes for you before they even knew you'd exist. You have them to thank for helping you become the person you are today.