Growing up, my parents and I would regularly sit down and have certain conversations about what I should do differently to benefit myself. My parents have always pushed me to be better than I was and do better than I had been.
When I was young, they pushed me to do well in sports. When I was a teenager, they pushed me to improve my ACT and SAT scores. As a college student, they push me to expand my options for my future career.
When I had made bad decisions, they pushed me to change my life choices. When I had chosen the wrong people to hang out with, they pushed me to get away from that crowd. When I had been brokenhearted, they pushed me to accept it and move on. When I had been disrespectful, they pushed me to respect.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed that the lecturing has occurred less and less. But ironically, growing up has made me appreciate every single one of these conversations.
Although I would get frustrated with my parents, not once did I feel unloved and not once was I pushed beyond what I could handle. It turns out that I wasn't doing the best I could and I wasn't doing everything right. I needed to be pushed to become a better me.
I now think of the positive words said during these discussions and not the negatives. I remember how at the end of every single lecture, my parents would always close with something along the lines of “we are only saying this because we love you and know you are capable of doing/being better.”
It has taken me this long to realize it, but you were right, Mom and Dad. About everything. You never pushed, shoved or nudged me in the wrong direction.
I understand that all of the arguments and late night talks were meant to create me into the person they knew I could be. To help me realize that I won’t get anywhere unless I diligently work for it, because things won’t be handed to me. To show me I need to set dreams and aspirations for my future to achieve my goals. To make me understand the consequences of my actions. To encourage me to not be satisfied with just being average, but to go above and beyond.
The’ve pushed me to understand what I’m capable of, which is a lot more than I thought. They've pushed me to learn how to take care of myself, both physically and mentally. They've pushed me to push myself when I feel like giving up. And for all of this, I will be forever grateful.
They stuck by my side through all of my mistakes and issues without complaint. By loving me through all the trials and tribulations I've put them through, they taught me how to love myself. Currently I am the most grateful for how they pushed me to realize my worth. Because after all of the years I couldn’t see it, I finally do.
Thank you, Mom and Dad, for every single pushy conversation that has molded me into the strong, confident, independent young woman I am today.
