We're all guilty of it. We move out of the house, or we go away to college, or we just spend a significant amount of time away from them, and we somehow forget how much our parents did for us. The truth is, without the influence and help from our parents, we would have nothing at all. I hope this reminds everyone to pick up the phone and call your mom and dad, because I can assure you, they want to hear your voice. Many people don't have both of their parents to be thankful for, so if you do, take advantage of it. Love them, respect them, and appreciate them while they're here.
1. Getting us where we are today... literally.
You remember the time before we all had cars, and our parents drove us everywhere? To sleepovers, to band competitions, to the movies for "dates" with our first crushes, our parents acted as our personal chauffeurs. If your parents are anything like mine, they loved every minute of it, but they would be lying if they said it was never inconvenient for them.
2. The insane amount of money they have spent and continue to spend on you.
Now that we understand the value of money (or think we do, I should say), we should all stop and think about how much our parents really spent on us. Between food and excursions and clothing and whatever else we had to have at the time, our parents have drained themselves to provide for us and see us happy. We'll do it for our own kids and understand one day, but for now, hug your parents extra tight for all they've spent on you.
3. Always being there for you.
Frenchy from "Grease" says it best, and I remind my dad of this all the time: "The only man a girl can depend on is her daddy." Girls, including me, will (hopefully) get married one day and find a man who loves them almost as much, but nobody will ever compare to a father's love for his daughter. Your dad is your bodyguard, your sidekick, and your knight in shining armor, and everyone deserves a good one. As for your mom, you'll never find a more willing and ready shoulder (or lap) to cry on. For moms, I have to quote "Despicable Me 2": "She kisses my booboos, she braids my hair ... my mother is beyond compare." Nobody loves you like your mother does. She'll go to the ends of the earth to keep you safe, healthy, and happy, and she deserves a phone call and a reminder she's beautiful every once in a while.
4. Being honest with you... Especially when you don't want to hear it.
Nine times out of 10, when I complain to my dad about something silly that happened, he replies with "get over it." It annoys me at first, but the more I think about it, the more he's right -- I really do need to just get over it sometimes, and what better person to break that to me than someone who loves me more than anything? Your parents are always the ones that will break the tough truth to you no matter what, and that's something to always be thankful for.
5. Pushing and challenging you.
Your parents don't tell you to do the best you can and get the best grades possible just to have something to brag to their coworkers about at work. They genuinely want to see you succeed, and know you have the potential to be amazing. They push you to do the best you can, and even though you grit your teeth and roll your eyes at their nagging, you should know they do it because they care.
6. Being your biggest supporters.
Whether it's sitting in the uncomfortable bleachers during a sports game to see you play, or sitting through endless amounts of plays or dance recitals, or listening to your horrible middle school band just to see you smile at them from onstage, your parents will always be there. They come to every show, every game, every event that means something to you. They cheer the loudest and embarrass you, but they smile ear to ear with pride in you.
7. Forgiving you.
Anyone who says they've never fought with their parents and said hurtful things to them would be lying. We've all done it, and we've all felt horrible about it later. But despite the way you treat them, your parents will always forgive you. Even though it's hard for them, even though we don't deserve it, even though they don't have to, your parents will always turn the other cheek.
8. Listening to you.
How many times have you called your parents just to complain about your teachers/professors, your boss, or your job, or just about life in general? They've always been on the other line listening, chiming in with "yeah, that sucks" or "I'm sorry, baby" and just letting you rant as long as you need. They love to hear your voice and they love that you chose them to talk to, but they've sat through numerous hours of your complaining, and for that we can never thank them enough.
9. Always taking your side.
Whether it's against a bully in school, an unfair teacher, or even sometimes against your other family members, the first people to jump to your defense are your parents. They always want to fight your battles for you and hurt whoever hurts you. They'll get your principal on the phone or do whatever it takes to make sure everything works out for you. Even though it can seem extraneous sometimes, they just want you to be happy, and it gives them joy to be the ones to make it happen.
10. Taking care of you when you're sick.
You become exponentially more thankful for this after you've been sick at college without your mom there to help. My mom has stayed home with me to look out for me more times than I can help, and so have many other moms. They love to play nurse for you, and you really miss it when you don't have that anymore, so be thankful for it before it's gone.
11. Loving you.
This should go without saying, but some people don't appreciate their parents enough in general. Sometimes we forget that our parents age with us, and their time on earth is not infinite. We have to love our parents and make sure they know we love them while we have them here with us. On the same token, many people don't have parents that have stepped up to the plate and loved them the way they should have been loved. If you do have amazing parents, like I do, make sure you know how lucky you are. Thank them for all the things they do, but thank them extra for all the things they are.
I love you, Mom and Dad. Thank you for everything.
