Truly Appreciative: 25/25

Dear Mom,

As I have completed each of my letters, I have noticed that some a different shape than others. My letter to President Obama didn’t end up saying at all what I thought it would while my letter to Leslie Acton said everything I hoped. With your letter being the last of my 25, I only hope I can find the words that carry the weight of son showing his appreciation for his mother’s love.

Thank you always being there for me. Thank you for caring for me through my struggles with nerves and anxiety, a minor issue looking back on my life, but one that only needed you around to be taken care of. Thank you for countless meals, which I took for granted until I moved away and had to prepare them myself. And thank you for supporting me through almost all of my decisions; without that support I would be nothing.

And most importantly, thank you for showing me how to be a hard-working, compassionate, caring Christian. Without your endless work in the church, that helped me find that church was my home away from home, I might not have the passion for youth work that I possess today.

As much as I am like Dad, I am also very much like you. I laugh at myself when I’m panicking to clean the apartment before friends are coming over or when I get frustrated with the kitchen not being clean.

Thank you, countless times, for being the best mom I could ever imagine. I only hope I am able to show my own children, my church, and my friends the kindness, generosity, hope, and faith that you have shown me.

Thank you, Mom.

Truly appreciative,



Brian J. Moles

____________________

This was the last of my twenty-five letters. It was also the hardest to write.

It's funny, when I started this project I knew exactly what my motivations were. But upon completion, I'm not sure what they were at all. It might not be the proper response, but I almost cringe as various thank yous and signs of returned-appreciation (including an autographed copy of John Mayer's Battle Studies) have come my way. However rude it may be to react that way, I'm grateful that I know that I didn't do this project to recieve any gratitude.

As I look out the window of my office, I am unable to say what comes next for me. With the completion of 'Truly Appreciative' behind me, I'm going to continue living in Nashville, working where I work, loving the church I attend and serve, and thanking the Lord for every blessing in my life.

Thank you.

Truly Appreciative: 24/25

Dear Dad,

Until now, these letters have been fairly “easy” to write. Most of the persons or groups on my list impacted my life in a specific way; one event or moment. But trying to capture the influence of a father on a son in one letter is practically impossible.

You have been the single biggest influence in my life. 70% of me is you (I’ve approximated). Until a few years ago, that bothered me. It didn’t bother me because I’m not proud of you or because there are inherited qualities I don’t appreciate, it bothered me because every boy wants to be their own man.

I have greatly enjoyed our evolving relationship in the past five or six years. Since I realized what good music sounds like, since I realized what an absolute joy it is working in the church, and since I moved to Nashville, our times spent together have been very special.

I’m not sure an evening could have been more perfect than the Roger Daltrey and Eric Clapton concert here. That memory is only surpassed by the times spent in the backyard playing catch or shooting hoops.

Thank you for everything you have done for me, my friends, my faith, and the rest of our family. It might still shock me when I do something exactly the way you would, but there is no one I would rather be. I only hope I am able to show a portion of the kindness, compassion, humor, and love you have shown me.

Thank you, Dad.

Truly appreciative,



Brian J. Moles

Truly Appreciative: 23/25

Dear Jeff and Sarah,

My favorite thing about going home is spending time with the whole family. Being able to sit back and realize that no matter how far away we live or how our interests and passions have changed, we always revert back to being children when we’re together. We are a mother, a father, two brothers, and a sister.

The two of you helped shape me into the person I am today as much as anyone in this world. The three of us are all so different, yet so similar, and our different strengths help mask another’s weaknesses. For that reason and many, many others, we are truly family.

Thank you, both, for helping me learn to be compassionate, kind, generous, funny, and loyal. Being able to have an older brother walk ahead of you and a fearless younger sister behind you made life much more enjoyable for me.

I look forward to seeing where the future takes each of us, as the past and present have already taken us so far. I am overwhelmingly proud to call each of you my brother and sister.

Thank you, many, many times over for all you have done for me.

Truly appreciative,



Brian J. Moles

__________________

Jeff is my older brother and Sarah is my younger sister. Sarah, a graduate of Ball State University, is a preschool teacher in Indiana and Jeff, an alumnus of Indiana State University, works for Room in the Inn in Nashville.

Truly Appreciative: Almost there...

As I near the end of 25 Truly Appreciative letters, I couldn't help but look back and wonder what my true motivation was for the project. For people that know me, they know I am not an outwardly emotional person; I haven't cried in almost ten years and could probably count on two hands the people that I've said, "I love you," to in my life. And for that reason, I had to do this.

I had to tell the people that mean the most to me how special they are. I have all these dreams and aspirations in my head, yet could I ever accomplish one of them if I'm not able to tell someone what they mean to me? And as the letters have shown, it's almost never a mushy I love you that I wanted to say. It's showing my thankfulness, my appreciation, for what these persons have done for me.

Looking through my list, five of the letters were to my closest family members, fourteen (not including family) were to people affiliated with the Presbyterian church, two were associated with Major League Baseball, two with John Mayer (included John himself), one with politics, and another with education.

That is my life in a nutshell: family, friends, baseball, music, and faith.

I have three letters left to write this week. One to my mother, one to my father, and one to my brother and sister. I've known from the beginning that these would be three of the hardest to write and saved them until now for that reason. Not only does telling them how much they mean make me anxious, but receiving any kind of response makes me even more anxious (I told you I wasn't emotional...).

I won't miss spending twenty or more minutes each day crafting a letter saying things I have never said before. I won't miss spending money on stamps and envelopes. I certainly won't miss the anxious thrill of dropping each letter in the mailbox, knowing that there was no going back once I let go. But I will miss the time it took to craft my list of twenty-five.

Twenty-five individuals, groups, and organizations that have influenced me more than they realize: a high school teacher from Indiana, a guitar player from Connecticut, four pastors, two churches, countless friends, the families of baseball legends, a best friend, an aunt and uncle, a brother and sister, a grandmother, and a mother and father.

I am truly appreciative. Thank you, all.

Truly Appreciative: 22/25

Dear Grandma,

There have been very few people in my life that have had as much of a direct influence on me as you and Grandpa. The two of you showed me what family truly is. No matter how distant a cousin, or not even related at all, someone might be, the two of you always cared for the whole family.

Grandpa was the strongest man I’ve ever known, both physically and mentally. I will never forget one of the days when he had a doctor’s appointment and I had to lift him from his wheelchair. His eyes showed his weakness, but his grip was still as strong as ever. That was the most surreal moment of my life and the moment I truly became a man in our family.

You are caring, generous, and everything I could ask for in a grandmother. Thank you for all of the support, compassion, and generosity throughout all the years. And thank you for showing me what family really is; I appreciate it all more than you know.

I hope this letter finds you well. You know that you if you ever need anything, I’ll be there for you. Thank you many, many times over.

Truly appreciative,



Brian J. Moles

__________________

Grandma is grandma. Need I say more?

Truly Appreciative: 21/25

Dear John,

From the days of my earliest memories, I can not recall a time where there wasn’t a guitar around. When my brother, sister, and I were little, we would strum Dad’s guitars while he played the chords to our favorite songs. He listened to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Tears for Fears; always pointing out guitar riffs and horn sections that I never would have noticed or cared about without him there.

Because he loved guitars and the blues, I, being his son, wanted nothing to do with either of them. And then I heard your music.

Room for Squares opened my eyes to a world of music, really good music, that I had no idea existed. Your music, as you have said many times, was my gateway to Ray Charles, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, and my father’s beloved Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Your music helped me appreciate the music I had heard throughout my entire life, but never bothered to listen to. Your music helped me pick up the guitar and learn how to play after years of resistance to my father wanting me to learn. And your music has brought me new friends. Thank you.

Through my love of guitars and the blues, my relationship with my father is better than it might have been otherwise. When I am home, we show one another what we learned on the guitar recently. We have gone to see Eric Clapton, Roger Daltrey, Buddy Guy, BB King, and Joe Bonamassa together. Those moments have given us time together that define love.

I hope this finds you and your family well. Thank you for all you have done for me, my friends, my family, and for the music we love.

Truly appreciative,



Brian J. Moles

__________________

John Mayer is my favorite musician. I have been listening to his music for almost nine years now. His music helped the world of music I knew go from black and white to color.

Truly Appreciative: 20/25

Dear Kyle,

From my first Sunday in Nashville, when you walked up after church and exclaimed, “Is this him?!?” to the Sunday when you left for college, when you left church with tears in your eyes, you have been one of my best friends in Nashville. Thank you for your friendship.

Not only have you been a friend, you have been a role model for both me and many others. Your passion for justice, peace, and equality runs so very deep; I envy that passion. Your confidence and willingness to take risks makes you who you are. Thank you for showing me the way I want to live life.

I hope school is going well. You and your family have helped make my time in Nashville fantastic. I hope I am able to return the kindness.

Thank you for helping make my transition to Nashville easier. Thank you for helping make my work with the youth at Second Presbyterian a joy. Thank you for your respect. And, of course, thank you for your friendship.

Truly appreciative,



Brian J. Moles

________________

Kyle was in my youth group for my first two years in Nashville and is now a freshman in college. He is like my little brother. Him and his family are the lifeblood of our church.

Truly Appreciative: 19/25

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Adenhart,

Aside from my family and my faith, baseball is my favorite thing about my life. I love the game and have learned many life lessons throughout my lifetime as Chicago Cubs fan.

I first heard of your son, Nick, just weeks before his tragic death. I normally don’t take interest in young pitchers on teams three thousand miles away, but Nick caught my eye.

And then he was gone.

I know very little about your son other than he was a baseball player, but that’s all the connection I need. The game I love was the game he loved. When I heard he had died, I was frozen. A person shouldn’t die that young, especially one with such talent and love for baseball. That’s selfish, but it’s true.

Through your son’s death, I learned to appreciate life more. I learned to appreciate the game more. I learned that my family is what matters most. Thank you for that.

I can’t imagine what you still must feel today with the loss of a son, as I don’t have any children, but know that your son’s life and death has helped me in my own life.

Truly appreciative,



Brian J. Moles

"Baseball will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen,

give them a larger physical stoicism, tend to relieve us

from being a nervous, dyspeptic set,

repair these losses, and be a blessing to us."

-Walt Whitman

_______________________

Mr. and Mrs. Adenhart are the parents of the late Nick Adenhart, a pitcher with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim until his death in April of 2009. A future star, he was only 22 when he was killed by a drunk driver after the finest outing of his career.

Truly Appreciative: 18/25

Dear Neil,

Through the course of my life, I have attended numerous Presbyterian events; Presbytery of Ohio Valley’s Camp PYOCA, Synod of Lincoln Trails Synod School and Youth Triennium, and the Presbyterian Church’s Presbyterian Youth Triennium, just to name a few. At each of these events, there is always a leader who makes an impression on me; someone who makes me say, “That’s the person, and youth leader, I want to be.”

That person has been you many times.

From the first time we met at a Synod Youth Committee meeting when I was in middle school to our last meeting at Triennium this past summer, I always admire the way you carry yourself, your sense of humor, and, most importantly, your faith. Thank you for being an example, a leader, and a friend.

I hope this letter finds you, your family, and your church well. Thank you for being a role model to me and everyone you so graciously served.

Truly appreciative,



Brian J. Moles

__________________

Neil is a youth pastor currently serving in Ohio. The letter says it all: he is the youth leader I want to be.

Truly Appreciative: 17/25

Dear Doug,

From the times spent going to lunch in the park after vacation bible school to the weeks at Synod School to the quick visits when we are both home, there has never been a time in my life that I haven’t had you as a friend. And I don’t know what I would do if I knew there might be a time where I didn’t. Thank you for your friendship

I could start writing about the countless crazy times we have had, but I wouldn’t know where to stop. Through all of those times, both fun and serious, you showed me how to push myself beyond what I thought I was capable of. Your drive, your passion, your confidence, your compassion, your generosity, your faith, and your friendship are all things I admire.

I am truly grateful to consider you my best friend. We haven’t live near one another for almost seven years, but it never feels like much has changed when we see one another. If that isn’t friendship, I don’t know what is.

Thank you for all you have done for me, my family, and my faith; I appreciate it more than this letter could ever say. God bless you.

Truly appreciative,

Brian J. Moles

__________________

Doug is my best friend. We attended church together from the time he was born until the time he went to college. I look up to him more than he knows.

Truly Appreciative 16/25

Dear Bruce,

I have been a Presbyterian my whole life. I was born into Central Presbyterian Church in Terre Haute, Indiana, where I attended and served for more than 24 years, and now attend and serve Second Presbyterian in Nashville, Tennessee. Being Presbyterian is part of who I am.

Throughout the course of this Presbyterian life, I have attended events at the local, Presbytery, Synod, and national levels. With each event came new understandings. With each new understanding came a new step in my faith journey.

Along the way, there have been many, many people who have helped me along the way, both knowingly and unknowingly. You are one of those people and I am grateful for that.

The presence you brought to the position of Moderator of the General Assembly had a striking effect on my journey. Your willingness to serve the world, to the best of your abilities, in the name of Jesus is amazing. I believe your understanding and acceptance that the youth are the current church, and not the future as it is too often said, helped drive mine and the younger generation of Presbyterians to cry out for a world built on peace, love, and forgiveness.

The PCUSA has presented me with opportunities that have helped form my morals, my passions, and my faith. Your leadership within the church has played a part in all of those things. Thank you for that.

I hope this letter finds you and your family well. I led a group to the Presbyterian Youth Triennium this past summer and enjoyed hearing your sermon there. I look forward to hearing your message again, either in person, on Twitter, or on Facebook. Thank you, again, for your leadership.

Truly appreciative,



Brian J. Moles

________________________

Bruce Reyes-Chow is the former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). He currently serves as the pastor at a church in San Francisco. He transformed the position of Moderator into one that identified the current state of the church, understood the youth and young adult movement, and revolutionized the social media world for persons of faith (i.e. brought it to the Presbyterian masses).

Truly Appreciative 15/25

Dear Keith,

I have attended many, many church events over my life. Some have been better than others, but they are all memorable. The time we spent together on the planning team at Montreat in 2004 was one of the most memorable for me.

I had never been to Montreat, so I was learning as the week went on, all while trying to act like I knew what I was doing. I had also never been in a true leadership role at such a large event before, so I was intimidated, but up for the challenge. With your guidance, I was able to find my place on our team and learn so much about myself.

I remember watching you prepare each morning and night, so jovial but also very focused. I remember how tired you seemed after each keynote. And I remember being proud that, in some small way, I had helped get your message out. Thank you for your words, your guidance, your respect, and your faith that week, and each week after.

The following summer, I started working with the youth group at my church in Indiana and have not stopped since. I have been in Nashville for three and a half years and my work with the youth at my church is the glue that keeps me in this city. Without our week at Montreat and without you there to show me how to lead, I’m not sure I would have found it within myself to be the leader I am able to be today. Thank you for your inspiration.

I hope this letter finds you and your family well. As I said, I have been in Nashville for more than three years now. I’m working as a Business Manager at The United Methodist Publishing House (Cokesbury) and spend many hours each week dedicated to the youth at Second Presbyterian. I also love attending Vanderbilt basketball games and playing ultimate frisbee and softball.

I appreciate all you have done for me, my faith, and the Presbyterian Church. You are a true disciple.

Truly appreciative,



Brian J. Moles

___________________________

Keith Harris is a Presbyterian minister currently serving in Urbana, Illinois. He is famous in the Presbyterian church for his energizing leading abilities (YouTube energizers). He is famous to me for being an amazing man.

Truly Appreciative 14/25

Dear Aunt Barb & Uncle Jeff,

Throughout my childhood, my youth, and into adulthood, it's hard to think of better times than those spent with my family. The time spent in Grandma and Grandpa's living room, sitting around laughing for an entire afternoon or opening presents on Christmas morning in your basement are some of my fondest memories. But those times provided more than laughter.

The two of you showed me how to enjoy life, you showed me how to be generous, and you demonstrated the best work ethic I've ever seen. Most importantly though, you showed me what it meant to be a Christian servant to the world. You are both integral parts of my life and I can't thank you enough for all you've done.

I wrote this letter to both of you because for the majority of my life, I knew you as a unit. The timing of your divorce corresponded with my move to Nashville, so while I have heard very much about the goings-on, I have not been there to see it first hand as much as I would have prior to moving. I know we are all dealing with the change in our own ways, but it’s because of the things in this letter that I know we’re going to be okay.

If either of you ever need anything, you know you can always ask. Thanks for all you've done and all you'll continue to do. I hope I can return the generosity, laughter, and love. Thank you, thank you, thank you...


Truly appreciative,



Brian J. Moles

___________________________

Aunt Barb is my father's sister. Uncle Jeff is her ex-husband. I moved to Nashville day after his father's funeral and the day before he moved out. They were unable to have children, so me and my siblings became their children. There was nothing we loved more when we were little than spending time with them. Though we have grown and our family has changed, they will always be two of my favorite people.

Truly Appreciative 13/25

Dear Annette, Erin, Katherine, Katie, Jennie, Madeline, and Trey,

Youth group has been one of my favorite things since I was in fourth grade. I got to attend youth group that young because Jeff was in sixth grade and my parents led the events. I never felt out of place because I had always been the young one in the group with Jeff, Michael Shaw, Cathy McLaren, and Chris Moulton. Then, after high school, I didn’t stop attending youth group. I was now the old one in the group with Sarah, Douglas Shaw, Amanda Green, and Ryan Giltner.

But then, I took a few years off. I didn’t have any of my good friends around in youth group and I had to focus more on college. In 2005, I decided that I was going to join you on the mission trip to Michigan. From that moment, I haven’t stopped working with the youth group at Central or at Second, here in Nashville.

From our trip to Michigan to our trip to Triennium in 2007, perfect bookends around my two years leading the Central Presbyterian youth group, I was able to grow as a Christian, a friend, and a leader. The seven of you were at the core of that experience and I am very grateful to each one of you.

Thank you for being willing to listen to someone only a handful of years older than you. Thank you for trusting me. And thank you for calling me out when I needed it (a strong point of the Cen. Pres. youth group). I would not be half the leader I am for my group at Second without the seven of you. And most of all, as we’ve all grown older, thank you for being my friends.

I often find myself comparing my current youth group members to you guys. You set the bar very high and I’m proud of that.

I hope this finds all of you well. I love Nashville and all it has to offer me at this stage in my life. If any of you ever need anything, and I mean anything, you know how to reach me. Thank you, many times over for your friendship; it is greatly appreciated.

Truly appreciative,



Brian J. Moles

___________________

This letter says it all. These seven young men and women helped find my passion for youth work. They helped me grow as a person and in my faith. Their friendship means the world to me and I would literally do anything for any one of them.

Truly Appreciative 12/25

Dear Second Staff, Members, and Friends,

I spent the first 24 years of my life attending the same church. My mom was our Christian Education Director and my dad taught Sunday School and led our youth group. Church was my second home.

And then I moved to Nashville.

After moving to town, I initially considered finding a different church. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to handle a church that was so open with their love. I wasn’t sure if the God I knew approved of some of the things Second stood for.

And then I found my Second home in Nashville.

I can not imagine where my life would be today if it weren’t for the open hearts and minds of the people at Second Presbyterian. You have helped expand my world view, open my heart to love the way Jesus loved, and explore my budding passion for social justice. I am all the better because of the kind words and works of everyone at Second. Thank you.

The future may take me to another place in this world (I have no plans to go anywhere, don’t worry), but I am truly glad that I know I will always have a home in Nashville at Second Presbyterian. Thank you, all, for all you have done for me, my family, and my faith; I am forever grateful.

Truly appreciative,



Brian J. Moles

“When we stop loving the people that Jesus will never stop loving,
we have lost the essence of our faith.”
-Tony Campolo

_____________________________

Second Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee is my current home church. I have attended regularly since I left my job at HH Gregg in November of 2008. I am a volunteer youth advisor and a member of the Youth Committee. Second has more passion for social justice than any group of people I have ever met or even heard about. Their ability to show love is truly extraordinary.

Truly Appreciative 11/25

Dear Central Staff, Members, and Friends,

Aside from my parents and grandparents homes, Central Presbyterian is probably the place where I have spent the most time. I was almost literally raised in and by the church. Central helped form my faith, has provided me countless opportunities, and been the source for many of my best friends. Thank you.

From John Chironna to David Perkins to Lant Davis, and from Francis Failing to Judy Lowder to Buck Brown, Jr., Central has had leaders within the church who have shown me what being a Christian means. These influences, along with hundreds of others, have certainly had an impact on the man I am today. Without my church family, I would not have the career I have, the relationships I have, and my passion for youth work.

My favorite worship service every year is the Christmas Eve service at Central. Coming home and seeing all of the people I grew up with makes me feel like a child again. I’m sure as life continues there will be many Christmas Eve’s spent elsewhere, but I will always look forward to returning home.

I hope this letter finds my church family well. It’s been three and a half years since I moved to Nashville, Tennessee, but that time has flown by. I am working as the Business Manager for Worship Resources at The United Methodist Publishing House. I am a volunteer youth advisor at my church, attend Vanderbilt basketball games, enjoy playing softball and ultimate frisbee, and root as hard as ever for my Cubbies.

Thank you, all, many, many times over for helping me grow as my life progressed. I look forward to seeing all of you soon.

Truly appreciative,



Brian J. Moles

“When we stop loving the people that Jesus will never stop loving,
we have lost the essence of our faith.”
-Tony Campolo

____________________________

Central Presbyterian Church in Terre Haute, Indiana is my home church. I attended and was a member from my birth until I moved to Nashville in August of 2007. Other than my parents, my grandparents, and my brother and sister, no one group has had a larger impact on my life than my church family at Central.