This past week my family celebrated two of my siblings' birthdays. Both nights were filled with a wonderful home cooked meal, my mom's famous ice cream cake, numerous gifts, and rooms filled with laughter (if you've ever been around any member of my family, imagine what it's like to have all seven of us in one space; the joy and craziness never cease). As we enjoyed the hours together, something became clear: my parents reveled in the happiness that exuded from my siblings and myself. Nothing, absolutely nothing, was given to my parents those nights, yet their hearts were filled because their children felt adored, cared for, and appreciated.
My parents have never asked for anything. They never forced a 'thank you' or a hug. They never begged for the dishes to be done or the house to spotless. They never chose themselves over one of their five children.
Nothing, not ever.
It was the moment when my mom joked how she wanted a similar celebration to happen for her own birthday that I finally realized the selflessness of a parent; they don't ask, they only give.
What have I asked for over the course of my 21 years? Everything. What have my parents given me? That and so much more. Mom and Dad, I want to thank you, no I need to thank you for being the epitome of love, true examples of kindness, but most importantly: for embodying what it means to place others before yourself in every way possible.
Thank you for a childhood of spankings, the made-up bedtime stories, and letting me play Barbies on whatever surface seemed fit. I wanted to do everything my way and with an open heart, you let that be so. If I threw a tantrum you would comfort me. If I pleaded to play at the park, you would drop whatever you were doing to satisfy me. Even when you wanted everything to be done your way for once, you sacrificed that time to make me better. Instead of delving into work, you practiced tee ball with me until I would actually hit the ball, not only the tee. Instead of ignoring me by placing me in front of the television, you taught me to get dirty in the rain with mud and worms, draw chalk on the sidewalk, or sled down a hill until I accidentally went off a jump and face planted in the snow. Instead of letting me wander in my own thoughts, we played games where you always let me win ("sorry, charlie"), you cleaned the kitchen only for it to be made a mess with playdough, and you let me tickle you even when it hurt. That is selflessness.
Thank you for the middle and high school years of encouraging me to leave my comfort zone, helping me pursue a love for athletics and letting me test out ugly phases in my puberty years (ugly is a nice word to use here people, greasy-haired, Aeropostale monkey wearing, Harry Potter glasses owning Kennedy might use a couple of different descriptive words). Instead of telling me to stay in a shell in order that I face no problems, you pushed me to take the extra mile to be great. Instead of shutting down my desire for sports, you fed them despite the countless hours, money, and stress you would give to see me succeed. Instead of forcing me to shower, you gave up your good name to let me go to school with a hobo outfit and enough hair grease to start a school fire. That is selflessness.
Thank you for the college years of giving me freedom, hearing my cries, and buying me the simple things a poor student can't be without. Instead of holding me close and keeping me under your watch at night, you let me grow in my independence and find my true heart. Instead of telling me to "toughen up" when times got rough, you listened to my worries, comforted my broken heart, and mended my shattered self. Instead of keeping the money for your own needs, you spent every dollar on my grocery lists, my clothes, my school supplies, and my selfish desires. That is selflessness.
Mom and Dad, thank you. Thank you for giving up your hopes and dreams only to continually give to me. Thank you for loving me when I shouldn't be loved. Thank you for forgiving me when I have acted far past forgiveness. Thank you for teaching me, building me, and bettering me each and every day.
You have taught me what it means to be selfless, and for that, I will forever be grateful.
