When I was younger, there was always an instinct of wariness when my parents would instigate a conversation with me, and I would worry that I had done something they did not approve of. My parents have always been great, loving, and supportive--it was not something they did wrong that scared me. It was more my actions that made me ashamed. I was the sort of tween and teen that liked pushing the envelope. I resented any authority that would tell me what to do and I was struggling a lot with the feeling that I had no one to go to for help.
I began drinking heavily and neglecting my relationships with my family. I look back on that time with a lot of regret, and although I know that everyone makes mistakes, there are so many battles I wish I had not chosen to fight. However, the thing that remained constant through all of that struggle was that my parents were always there for me. Each time they found out that I had started drinking again, or that I had been somewhere I should not have, their response was loving. Now an adult, in my first year of college, I am so appreciative of my mom and dad for showing me unconditional love and working hard to grow along with me and do whatever it took to prove how meaningful my relationship with them was.
This message is to serve a few purposes, but mainly to scream out to my wonderful parents and all those other great ones out there that all of your hard work is acknowledged and truly respected. To my set of parents, I am so happy that our relationship has become one in which you are not only my go-to advice givers, but also my role models and best friends. I want to ensure those who struggle with familial relationships that it is never, ever too late for people to change. Do not give up hope--we are all trying our best in this life, and if you reach out with forgiveness, the window for change can be opened. And now, instead of being afraid to talk to my parents, I am eager and proud to have them as my biggest support system.
So I will end this writing with this statement, that I know all of us children can agree with: Thank you, my parents, for being my steady hand, showing me unconditional love, and being the people I hope to continue growing beside for many years to come.
