I have always tried to be appreciative for everything my parents do for me and my siblings. I will admit, there were some dark ages (i.e. high school), where I could be considered slightly ungrateful at times, but even then, I knew that I had it good. I became especially aware of how wonderful my parents are, and always have been, when I began living on my own. I haven't lived in my parents' home since I began college, and since that time, seeing them less has made me miss them significantly and realize all of the things they do for me that never used to cross my mind. Now, I am grateful for my wonderful parents all of the time, but there are a few significant moments that make these thoughts truly stand out.

I am thankful for my parents when times get hard. I know this may seem to them like the only time I consider all of the things that they do for me, but it isn't. It is, however, what prompted me to write this article. A few weeks ago, my phone began a down-hill slide, but I have been making it work, because I couldn't afford to purchase a new one myself. Tonight, I sit here with my new iPhone because my parents don't like the idea of me being unable to communicate with them. They always want to do what is best for me in whatever way they can. During my second year of college, I totaled my first car on the way to a football game. I sobbed on the phone with my father apologizing for causing an accident. His only response was, "We know you didn't mean to do it. That's why they call it an accident. We're just glad you're OK." When money is tight or I've just had a bad week, I can always call my mother or father and know that things will be better soon. I have friends who don't have that luxury. I am extremely fortunate to have the support system I do.

I am thankful for my parents when things are going well. Whenever something good happens to me, the first person I call is my mom. I love sharing with her when I've written something new, had a successful rehearsal, or had a good day at work. She always sounds genuinely pleased as she talks across the room to tell my father about my news. Both of them do such a wonderful job of sharing their pride in me, so I always try to do the same in my appreciation for them.

I am thankful for my parents when I am trying to express myself. I primarily do this through writing and color guard, and my mother and father have supported me in both of these things since I first began to show interest in them. My parents drove me to and from more rehearsals than I can count. They still drive hours to watch performances that last less than five minutes. They read and share with family and friends every poem, story, essay, and article that I send their way. I am constantly being sent information on workshops and potential jobs that they hear about. They know what is important to me, and it becomes important to them.

I am thankful for my parents when I think about how hard they worked to raise me and my siblings the best way they know how. I know it is easy for them to be hard on themselves and think of instances when they weren't perfect, but the things that stick out most to me are the positive. They taught us to be kind and to always consider those that we interact with as human beings with just as acute feelings and emotions as we have. They taught me to consider that if I am having a bad day, it is just as likely that the person in line in front of me at the grocery store or the waitress at the Waffle House is having a bad day, too. They taught us to make our own choices and not be ashamed of who we are. We were always told that if the "worst" thing we did was dye our hair a strange color or get a piercing or tattoo, then they would be pretty impressed. Those aren't things worth judging another person over. They taught us to think for ourselves and to always ask questions. We learned that you can't just believe something because someone else does even if that "someone else" is them. We learned that our feelings are always valid. Whether or not someone else thinks that what you feel is warranted or not doesn't matter. If you feel that way, then there is a reason. Even when we we weren't quite sure why we felt that way ourselves, our parents were never quick to discount our emotions.

I am thankful for my parents more times than they will ever know and still not nearly often enough.