In May, I finished my first year of college. It was my first time working to pay my own bills. It was the first time I had ever been on my own with no one to answer to. I cleaned up when I wanted to. I watched Netflix whenever I wanted to. I slept whenever I wanted to. I did what I wanted to do whenever I wanted to do it. For a whole school year, I didn't have to answer to anyone but myself; so imagine the puzzlement that struck me when I came home to my parents for the summer and I had to answer to someone other than myself.
I distinctly remember coming home from college one day to lie on the couch in my childhood home to watch "Grey's Anatomy." While I lazily enjoyed my show without a care in the world, my mom scurried around to tidy up because we were expecting guest the following day. You would think I would have noticed that she was becoming overwhelmed and wanted some help, but I didn't. I was in my own little world, concerned only with what was right in front of me, not with what was going on around me.
She got to the point where she finally asked for help. Flustered, she asked me, "Can you please get off your butt and help me for 10 minutes?" My initial thought was that I don't live here anymore and shouldn't have to clean up a mess that isn't mine. I shouldn't have to clean up for guests that are not mine. I'm basically an adult and should be able to do what I want when I want. Then it struck me how inconsiderate and disrespectful it was of me to even have those thoughts.
I felt like because I didn't live under my parents roof anymore, I shouldn't have to do the things they ask me to do. For a while, I had been doing what I wanted to do without having anyone to answer to, and I brought that home with me when school ended. I had forgotten that she is the woman who brought me into this world and has spent her life taking care of me. She and my dad have given me and my siblings the world, but I wouldn't give her 10 minutes of my time to help clean.
I realize now that no, I do not have to get up and clean for her; but I should without a second thought. I should not question why she is asking me to get up and help. I should not talk back or disobey. I should do whatever she asks of me because she is my mother and deserves my utmost respect. Her whole life revolves around me, the least I could do is help out a little. She shouldn't even have to ask, but from now on when she does, I will do my best not to question it. It is irrelevant that I am no longer living under her roof and pay my own bills; she is my mother.
Next time you go home for a break from school and your parents ask you for a little help, just do it. Do it because they they are your parents. Do it because they need help sometimes. Do it because they deserve your respect. Do it because they do everything for you.
