"Allison …. Your turn kiddo" A calm voice rang out in a classroom of 30 students and their parents sat in the classroom.
A tall thin strawberry blonde girl stood up and walked toward the front of the classroom she gave a small smile to her classmates as she prepared a power point.
"Whenever you're ready, you can go on ahead" the teacher commented.
"Okay * she cleared her voice* thank you."
"Hi, my name is Allison Altman-Hunt and I for my presentation of who inspires me, I chose my family" *she smiled nervously thumbing some index cards she was holding*
"My family consists of My mom and dad, Drs Owen Hunt and Theodora Altman-Hunt, my older brother Leo, and my soon to be little brother, my grandma Evelyn and my Aunt Meghan. Fun fact about my mom – she hates her name and prefers to be called Teddy".
"Like as in Teddy Bear"? a student asked.
"Yup" Allison quickly responded her teacher smiled.
"Both my Mom and Dad are retired Majors in the US Army: My mom is a Cardiothoracic surgeon my dad a Trauma Surgeon".
"so, they met in the military"? her teacher asked.
"Yes ma'am" Allison smiled.
"COOL"!
"Oh crap … Mom, Dad hurry up Allison is speaking"! Leo could be heard outside the classroom
He waved at Allison catching her eye and making her smile.
"Owen, I told you" Teddy commented.
"I um… *Allison fumbled to find where she was at * yes they um … *she squinted * met in the military where they along with my Aunt, Meghan, were stationed in Iraq as Surgeons. Few years, later my dad was discharged, and my mom stayed behind and decided to run Med Com for the next few years until my dad called her to come teach in Seattle".
"Oh gosh she's really rehashing our biographies isn't she"?! Owen chuckled.
"HUSH"! Teddy hit him in the chest.
"And …. My mom taught for a few years here in Seattle and then took up a job offer in Germany. Soon after my dad thought about the idea of moving to Germany to be with my mom, but ughhhhh that did not work out…. Or it did ? Sooooo He ended up back home and At that time My dad Decided to foster Leo, my brother. Then a few months later I came into the picture….. haha and my dad eventually proposed"
"WOW…this is deep" Leo said
"well … is this an 'air family dirty laundry' report" Teddy teased.
"Well, that's a unique family dynamic *her teacher smiled* What would you say is the best part of your family"?
"But that's not the best part about my family ….. Even though my parents have insane schedules, we are incredibly close…. Mom and Dad always know how Leo and I are doing, where we are, if we need anything. Even when their day has gone to hell They always show up and make us a priority without us ever knowing the difficulties they have faced or are facing. I know Leo will agree with me on this – but mom and dad are incredibly funny… I do not think I will meet anyone who can make me laugh as hard or forget about a bad day. While most people would describe my parents as tough, strict … sometimes intense, and my parents are also incredibly loving…. Not just to Leo and I but to everyone they meet. They motivate and teach me to be better than the day before. I know where every I am, whatever I do they will always have our backs. * she looked at her parents * If one day I am half of my parents, I would be honored.
So Mom, Dad…..Thank you for believing in me. No Matter what, you have never doubted my abilities, you never stopped pushing supporting and encouraging me. Often there were days you believed in me more than I believed in myself, thank you for never letting me settle. Thank you for teaching me strength and courage – by your own heroic bravery (even before we were born), and in your day to day life's work you've shown me what it means to push beyond mental limitations, you taught me to be brave and what it means to fight – with dignity and grace. Thank You for me, for always being a phone call a way no matter what for your patience especially when It would have been WAY EASIER to be mad at me and for picking me up every single time I fell, you are always right by my side. You have seen me at my worst and at my best, THANK YOU For letting me fail – for knowing when I needed to fail to be motivated …. And knowing when I needed a soft place to land for comfort. Thank you for dedicating your life to Leo and I .
I love you …. To the Moon and Back