As an adult I sometimes wonder how I got so lucky. I grew up with everything I needed, and so much more. To say I had the most hardworking, selfless parents around would be an understatement. Looking for work after college, when somewhat real adult life started to settle in I began to realize the sacrifices, the hours, the insane amount of drive both my parents had to make sure that we never went without, and always had much more then we needed. The fact that they always had a smile on their faces, never missed a game, or a classroom event. The fact that they worked opposite shifts, made it all work, while facing real life at every turn, and raised three children without every hearing a complaint from them, I stand in amazement.
I thank my parents for raising three children who they expected to have the same morals, values, and work ethic. We were expected to earn our own money and start building our own lives. When you are a teenager sometimes it feels like life would be easier if you had the parents who handed you money instead of making you work for it, but as an adult I have never been more thankful for my parents and the expectations they had for me and my siblings. As an adult I see so many people shocked by having to work for money and not getting the best things in life handed to them, the way they want them, on a silver platter. They are having to deal with facing the real world for the first time as adults, and it has only made life harder for them. For me, there has been little to no surprises as an adult in the work force and no surprises for what is expected of me.
I thank my parents for working hard but always showing up. My parents worked a lot but never missed a beat. I never worried about someone not being there for a Christmas party or a soccer game. They always showed up, that’s all a kid could ever ask for. Kids don’t want presents, they want presence. The presence of their parents at what might seem like minimal sports games or classroom parties, but mean so much. Even at a young age I could tell that I was luckier than most.
I thank my parents for telling me when I was wrong, but always having my back. If I messed up as most kids do growing up and finding their way my parents had a way of telling me that I was wrong but never making me feel like I was the only one who has ever lost their way, and never making me feel like I was alone in my mistakes. If I was wrong I knew it. I am so thankful to have parents who were fair and honest with me, but always had my back.
I thank my parents for being themselves, and teaching me to do the same. For showing me the things they loved to do, the things they loved most about life. For accepting my hobbies, and embracing my talents. Encouraging me to follow my dreams and supporting every move I make on my way to trying to make my dreams a reality.
Most of all I thank them for being my best friends, for seeing me through so many times that the world made me feel so small, but reminded me how little those moments would be in the grand scheme of things. When it felt like the whole world was against me I always knew I had two forever-friends and a house that was a home.
