In the comments section of my last post, Marallyn ben Moshe wrote:
"EVERY MINUTE WE HAVE A PARENT IS A GIFT."
Kol ha-kavod to Marallyn for knowing that and "stating" it aloud. It is like poetry to my eyes and ears. For I have been gifted my entire life with these caring, loving, respectful parents of mine. I have always recognized that and feel sorry for those who aren't gifted with similar parents.
There are parents who cannot be considered a gift -- they are plain and simply HORRIBLE people, terrible role models, who treat their offspring like garbage. Oftentimes they do not deserve to have had the title "parent" bestowed upon them, and oftentimes the child is better off without such a parent in their life.
Thank G-d I do not personally know people in this predicament, but I know they exist. Family dynamics are often the result of the dynamics that came a generation before; people learn from example: whether how to improve, or whether to follow in negative footsteps and have family history repeat itself.
I hope that most, if not all of you, can appreciate your parents -- what they give/gave you to help you be the best person you can be...and the right tools for parenting.
7 comments:
Amen. I am also blessed to have my parents alive and well. The bonus is that we have a great relationship - - and I cherish every moment!
Shabbat Shalom!
Growing up, like most kids do, I took my parents very much for granted. It was only later in school when I realized how difficult and sad so many of the family lives of kids I knew were that I looked at my parents in a new light.
Similarly, seeing the crises and challenges, both physical and emotional, that friends have gone through with their parents as they've grown up, has served to strengthen my own link to my parents.
With my father in particular, I think once I left home and made my own life, those very common awkward and strained aspects of the father-teenage daughter relationship really changed for the better. My husband, who lost his own father at age 6, has a very close relationship with my father, and seeing that has helped me put things into perspective too.
Let's keep appreciating our parents, here or not, for what they've done and continue to do for us.
Thanks for the reminder. I appreciate mine. Very much.
I couldn't agree more. What I wouldn't give for another day with my beloved mother who died way too young in 1999. Let's hear it for the parents of the world...they're meshugenah, but we love them!
shauvah tov 'pearl...thanks so much for the thumbs up...when i think how our parents for the most part didn't have grandparents i know just how lucky we are...my Dad AH used to say 'we are born naked and die naked, and all we have left is our good name'...hopefully the way we treat our parents will teach our children how we wish to be treated...with love and respect and a sense of humour...last week my mom, bubbie channah, 83, called with her usual sentence...'jog my memory' oy i thought what now...usually i can get it but this time she had me stumped...'what was so and so's son's name'...i said,'ma! who cares? that was over twenty years ago' and she replied, 'marallyn, i care...i'm sitting here knitting and trying to remember'...so as a good daughter i tried too...but i gave up after three hours and phoned windsor and asked the guv who thank goodness remembered...bubbie channah was so happy...all it took was a little time and a phone call to the old country...yahoooo i wish all our problems could be solved as easily...bless you and your family 'pearl...you are all lucky...amen...shavuah tov and stay safe
Thinkng of you - hoping for all that's good for you and your family - agreeing that parents are a blessing.
Thanks for your comments. So glad to know that your parents are appreciated... Just be sure to let THEM know that -- whether via words or actions. It makes a difference in a relationship.
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