"Audris, I taught you better than that. You of all people should know that life’s never easy. If it was, you would never learn what it means to not give up. You don’t give up. School’s never always come that easy to you, but from the day you were born your mom and I both believed you could do anything you wanted to do. It’s not easy and it never will be, but don’t worry about what other people are doing or what other people think. You always worry too much about other people. You don’t learn for other people, you learn for you. I’m sorry you’ve felt like you’ve disappointed yourself, but don’t be upset because you’ve disappointed someone else, because they don’t matter. You matter. You’re young, you’re smart, you’ll learn. This is all a part of the process. Of course I believe in you, what kind of father would I be if I didn’t? Now don’t worry about calling home about these things. Just don’t give up. You’ll get there, don’t worry so much about that. Just don’t give up."

—

my dad

he’s not without his flaws, but in some ways my dad is perfect.  

OH HEY THERE US MEN’S GYMNASTIC TEAM.