"Never complain about what your parents couldn't give you. It was probably all the had."

Sit back for a second and reflect. Think about your values, job, relationships, home, clothing, life.... everything. Think about where you are, right now in this moment, and how you got here. Every decision you've made, opportunity you've taken, and relationship you've made over the years has made you the person you are right now, in this moment.

I'm sure you're thankful to be where you are and have the things you have. You may say things like, "I worked really hard to get where I am," or, "I got myself to this point," which may be true, but I think we neglect to remember where we are from and how we truly got to the point we are today.

The main reason you make the decisions you do, have the relationship you have, and are who you are is all due to how you were raised. It's how your parents raised you.

Your parents brought you into this world. They taught you everything you know. They were there for your first steps and your first words. They held your hand when you were scared, and knew exactly how to make all the nightmares disappear. They taught you how to be responsible and how to respect others. They showed you that through all the evil in the world, they would always be there for you. They showed you how important family truly is.

They've seen you at your weakest, mental breakdowns and all. They've seen at your best. Your parents know you better than anyone in this world, and they will always be the ones who will unconditionally love you. No matter how mad they may be at you in the moment from some stupid decision you may have made, they love you and are always so proud of you.

From watching what my parents have gone through with my siblings and I, I can truly say that being a parent is probably the hardest and most selfless job there is. They gave their life up so they could help you build yours.

My parents have given me everything and more, and for that I will be forever grateful. There is no amount of money in the world to repay them for the love and devotion they have given to me, and my siblings, over the years. They made me the person I am today; how does one show their gratitude to someone who pretty much gave their own life up to raise you?

So, yeah, you may be thankful for the clothes you have, the roof you have over your head, and all the material items laying around in your bedroom, but I think we forget to acknowledge to thank our parents for making us the people we are today. We need to start remembering that we are the people we are because of how we were raised.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for spending the past 21 years of your lives building me and my siblings into who we are today. I know it might have been hard sometimes, but no day goes by that I don't remember how blessed I am to be who I am because I have such strong, loving, and selfless parents. Thank you for giving me everything, even when you had nothing.

I hope one day to somehow repay you for all of it, but for now, I will just continuously show you love and gratitude each and everyday. I learned from the best.

I love you both will all of my heart and more.