The Two of Them

These two are my beloved parents. They came an extremely long way, to bring up my younger sibling and me as well as keep the family, and our home up and running. Many a times especially in recent years, there are doubts about whether I could perform half as well as them. But, I shall leave that to when the time arrives. Not now.

For now, this entry is meant to attribute to and to commemorate the many sacrifices and efforts that my parents have made for the family and for their offsprings. Yes, one of their foolish offspring is typing this now. But, why foolish?

Many reasons, spanning from sustaining unnecessary injuries as a boy to causing uncalled for worries as a teenager to making unwise decisions as a young adult. I believe and many of you would agree that that is part of growing up. Okay, but when I open up my eyes and when I see them go through their difficult phases, grow older and naturally becoming frail, it pains me when I think if I had carried myself less foolishly, they may have been healthier or better off. But then again, I would never know for sure.

I am not writing this to engage in a self consolating talk nor to iterate how I could have been a better child to them because it does not matter now. What matters now is how I can be for them and do for them from now onwards. Ultimately, what I hope to state here based on my observation and personal experience is just this: Show APPPRECIATION towards your parents and siblings.

It is not my prerogative to say one should hug them and say certain words to show their love to their parents although that is actually a very warm approach. I'm sure everyone has their approach. Yet, I would like to stress that lip service is not really an approach. It is the actions and the attitude along with the actions that count.

However, to those who constantly think that their parents are not treating them right or has to put up with their mood swings (abusive/violent parents not withstanding), perhaps it is alright to empathize them better as a person, not as a parent, for they could have had a bad day too just like us.

Many occasions, one only misses the people only when they are no longer around. Do not let that happen to you. I'm not saying to stop missing those who have left us. While we have our parents with us, it is better to know that we have spent the better of times with them than not. At least that way, you know you have done so and retained the cherishable moments when they eventually move on in your later years.

I know I want to.

And to my parents who are still around and alongside me, still guiding and looking after me, I stand tall and proud knowing that they are the two who made it good for the family.

Thank you papa and mama.

DwaY