An Open Letter To My Aging Parents

The statement above has truly impacted my life. A few minutes before writing this article, I was thinking about the fact that I can't wait to finish my bachelor's degree so that I can get my master's or start working. I have to tell myself to stop doing that...it's so innate but I need to pause.

I’m twenty. I think that’s a young age and many older people say that I am at a “ripe” age. Everyone says that throughout life, we as human beings are in a constant rush. In a rush to: grow older faster, finish school, get married, move, and get to the next destination. This cycle never ends. Over the past few years, I’ve tried to be intentional with being present, loving the stage that I’m in, and taking things one moment at a time. In such a busy and fast-paced environment, it’s hard to maintain a slow and focused pace.

With that being said, during this moment in my life, here’s what I want my parents to know:

Dear Mom and Dad,

For some reason, about two weeks ago, I was driving home from work. I started to think about the fact that you guys had my brother when you were thirty-two and you had me when you were thirty-five. Let’s do some math: all of this means that when I’m 30, you’ll be 65. And when I’m 50, you’ll be 85. I say this with the hope that you will both live healthy and prolonged lives.

Honestly, those numbers scare me, and I know I’ve seen worse. I just want you guys to be around when I get married and I want to see you spoil your grandchildren some day. I want your wise words to always be just a phone call or text away.

Despite all of this, I know that I can't hold onto you guys forever. I only get you for a short period of time. It seems that people always leave things unsaid and regret not telling someone something important. I don't want that to be the case with us. Each and everyday, I want you to know that you are so loved, so admired, so wanted, and so appreciated. I think that you're both strong, courageous, tenacious, resilient, and kind. You're my people.

I've been hugging and kissing you guys a lot more in the past few years. It's not to be weird, clingy, or obnoxious. Not at all. It's to show you that I'm proud to call you mami and papi. I do it because I know that at any given moment, I might not be able to touch you again. I don't want to look back and regret not being affectionate with you two.

No matter how old I get, I won't be ashamed to hold your hand down the aisles of Target or to two-step with you guys in random stores. I'll always want to give you a hug and kiss when I see you and when I say goodbye.

This life is fleeting and I want us to take full advantage of the time and energy that we have now, for we might not have it later on.

I want you to know that I save your emails, texts, photos, and voicemails. I like to have all of those things on me for whenever I need to hear or see you guys.

Finally, I want you guys to know that I'm so grateful and I consider myself blessed that you guys were given to me. You have been incredible parents but please, stay with me a little while longer.

Bendición, los quiero.

{PS, you're my favorite parents in the whole world}

I know I'm young and not very wise (yet), but this I know: we must hold our loved ones a little closer and be sure to tell them how much they mean to us. We, as young people, cannot be completely fixated on what's going on with us. Love your parents (whoever it may be that fulfills that role in your life) and tell them that they are loved by you.

Mom and dad, I wish I could have you for an eternity, but I guess I will love you as much as I can for now.