Dear Mom and Dad,
It's been years since you both left this mortal plane, and while I am not suffering the ongoing level of distress that my sister still is, it's rare that more than a day or two passes that I do not think of one or the other of you. What I miss most is just being able to call you up and tell you about some silly, inconsequential thing that happened during the day—or bitch about work, or ask for a recipe, or any of the dozens of other things that had become second nature for all of us when you were alive that are now gone forever. I also miss being able to share the big things with you and miss receiving your wisdom and reassurances in the face of uncertain futures.
And yes, I even miss those occasional "What were you thinking?" and the subsequent reprimands as you tried to steer me away from making some very poor decisions.
I'm sorry that you missed my wedding, although I'm reasonably certain Mom knew and approved of where things were heading; it was shortly after she met Ben and sensed that I'd finally met "the one," that she was able to finally let go and move on to whatever it is that comes after this life. And Dad…you missed it by only a few months, but ironically it was spurred in no small part by your own passing. "After all the horrible things that have happened this year," Ben said, "we need something positive to happen."
On the other hand, I'm glad you're not still here to see what is happening in this country today. You taught me me tolerance and acceptance of everyone as I was growing up (proving that when you wholeheartedly accepted me when the time came) and I think you would be appalled at the level of intolerance rising in our communities. Having lived through—and fought during—the last World War and witnessing the rise and fall of the Third Reich, I'm sure klaxons would be ringing for you every time that Cheeto-faced baboon took to the podium. Perhaps if more of your generation were still alive to remind us of the horrors of fascism, we might not be facing its possible resurgence now.