A Letter to Mom and Dad

I woke up this morning with a strong need to send a letter to my parents. Since my Vietnamese is not very good and their English is limited, there’s a lack of depth in our communication. I realized that this gap in communication could easily distort our understanding of who we truly are to one another.

Over time, I’ve learned to start writing letters to my parents and using Google Translate to bridge the language barrier. While the translations aren’t perfect, I believe they can still feel the emotion behind my words. These letters help bridge the gap between us.

After I send a letter, the connection between my parents and me deepens, even without verbal communication. They can look at me and truly see how much I love and appreciate them.

I’ve realized that taking a moment to write to someone is a powerful act of gratitude. It shows that you’re investing your time to think about them and reflect on their importance in your life. A letter becomes something they can keep forever—a lasting reminder that they are loved and valued. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.

When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone you truly cared about? When was the last time you expressed your appreciation for the role they play in your life? So often, we hold back from expressing ourselves verbally because we’re embarrassed, afraid of rejection or judgment, or we assume they already know how we feel.

But the truth is, they might not know—or maybe they do, but they need to hear it anyway. What harm is there in showing someone how you really feel about them? Your words could even save their life, lifting them from a place of doubt or despair.

In a world where everything feels so transactional and fleeting, the new form of wealth is the investment of time. Taking the time to show someone you care—to let them know you were thinking about them—yields immeasurable returns. The love and support that grows from that connection is limitless.

In a world that often feels disconnected, these moments of meaningful connection become truly invaluable.

So, here’s your seed question for the week:

When was the last time you thought about a person that you cared about, but never DEEPLY expressed it?