Dear Father, I am writing to you today to show a debt of thanks and gratitude to you for molding me to be the person that I am today. In every single persons life, every last person that they see, walk by and interact with whether for five seconds or five years has a significant impact on their life. You however, have done me a great service by being the single greatest impact on my life in so many different ways. It may seem odd that I'm writing you, and perhaps even more odd that I'm praising you, but it is all so that you may understand that you will have my gratitude forever for the ways that you have made me who I am today. I am forever grateful to you, and am forever in an non repayable debt that has existed and grown since the day I was born.  

            I could never tally the amount of lessons you've taught me, nor could I ever be able to amass such a quality of teachings in my lifetime. You've not only been a great father and taught me the moral rights and wrongs, but you've taught me what it takes to express and show those rights and wrongs. As a coach, you've taught me the fundamentals of both Football and Basketball, and have led me to so many victories, both on and off the court. I can still remember the first time we stepped on a Basketball court together. I remember the chill I got up my spine when I first picked up the ball and shot it, and especially during my first game. The light brown court was filled with loud squeaking and shouting from sneakers and players. The air had no smell to it, but was infinitely refreshing due to the open door in the gymnasium leading to the cold snowy grounds outside. I can remember the time that I fell into a pool when I was so young I couldn't count my age on both hands, and you jumped in and saved my life. There are so many favors and things you've done for me over the years that I simply cannot repay nor replicate. 

             Before you had taught me all that you have I was simply a boy. A boy that was naive and very young. I was thoughtless and with little to no inspiration. I had very few joys that weren't all in my own imagination and I had very little clue what an idol or mentor was let alone having one at all. Before you taught me all that you knew, I was a little Padawan to your Jedi Master. I was simply too young and too foolish to ever understand anything, and yet though I'm only eighteen, I am very proud in knowing that I am one of the more mature eighteen year olds out there. I always use the logic you taught me, I always stay disciplined both on and off the court, I always show respect, and more importantly I ALWAYS lead by example. You truly have shaped me into the athlete, thinker, and overall individual that I am today. From all of the little things you've taught me to the massive lessons you've drilled in my head, I thank you from now 'till forever.

I'll love ya forever,
Tyler.

Pops and I

from me to you

I know sometimes its not always easy to see

you're always up to those things you do

but I've always appreciated what you've done for me

which is why I'm writing this, from me to you

I know you're the athlete in the family

you taught me everything I knew

its hard to live up to what you want me to be

what you've done for me is more than I could ever do

You taught me how to be a true man

I guess chivalry will never die in your eyes

without manners, in your house I'd be banned

and you showed me how confidence is just a guise

Confidence was always the game plan

through practice is how I shall rise

without it I'm better off throwing my dreams in the can

"sportsmanship is what I can preach and advise"

I love all the possibilities you taught me to see

I couldn't repay you for being so true

being a leader in life is what is key

so dad I'd like to give praise, from me to you

And you showed me right from wrong

but only expect success if you fight all year long

You told me that I cannot ever give up

that an non acted on dream is sleep

no matter whether afar, or close up

only if you act, those blessings will you reap

And of all the things, you told me remember three

dream on, be yourself and forever fight through

things are always bigger than you and me

So thank you once again, as a mentor and a friend

Thats why I'm writing this poem, from me to you.