Contrasting Chalkboard Erasers and Toothpicks

I'm starting to get extremely frustrated with people who don't appreciate what they have in their lives. I know I might sound like I'm being critical, and well... I am. I'm sorry, people, but it's part of who I am. Has anyone else realized that if someone is overtired or not feeling well they say something like, "Oh, I'm dying. I feel awful.", even though there are people in a third-world country who is literally starving to death? I will admit to this, I do this every so often out of bad habit. Sometimes when you are around people who speak a certain way long enough, it tends to rub off on you. However, it does bother me that I say this and I have whole-heartedly been trying to refrain myself from making over-exaggerations in that sense. I've realized how much I take advantage of in my life and I realize that though I have many hardships and difficulties, I have one thing I can absolutely be grateful for. My friends and my family are the most important things in my world. Yes, some of them are suffering, and yes some of them are difficult to be around some times, but they are my foundation in which I have built myself.

I do not act like I don't make mistakes, and when I do, there are those people that keep me in check. My mother and father for example have not only helped in the strongest sense in shaping me into the (*cough* amazing) person I am today, but they help me reform myself when I get off-track. In the past, I have taken advantage of the fact that they are always there for me, however, recently my thoughts have changed. I like to tell other people to enjoy life and to let people know you care before it is too late, but I am at fault for not truly expressing my feelings towards my parents, as I am certain that many others are at fault. You never know when life will pull the rug out from underneath you, so it is very important that you are always prepared. Do not get too comfortable or think anything is permanent. Someone you care about can disappear, pass away, or even walk away (which I personally think is the worst of the three).

The other night, I was unable to sleep (oh yeah, big shock there), and I was running through my head nearly impossible scenarios with the same general outcome. What would I do if my parents were no longer there? I would have to support my sister, I would have to help my grandmother, I would have to be there for multiple members of the family alongside having to fight internal demons an pain.. the list is endless. Anyway, by going over my late-night troubled thoughts, I heard my mom get out of bed, I couldn't even help myself, I just got up and went into my parents bedroom (at four in the morning, mind you), and I just started crying and telling them how much I loved them. Yes, I am a nutcase, and yes I am completely unstable, however my thought-process is not completely skewed. Yes, I have my issues, but the truth is, I finally fell asleep after I got that out of my system. I couldn't help but feel like if something happened to my parents before I woke up, I had to tell them that I loved them. I know this sounds like it's out of a movie or something cheesy like that, but I don't lie and this story is completely 100% true.

My point by all this seemingly ridiculous rambling, is this: Yes, parents can be a thorn in your side, however we have to remember that they are our support. They've had to deal with us and make decisions and work for us for most of their lives, and I think they have deserved a bit of time to nag us. They love us, and they just don't want to see us fall. Then again, they're probably terrified that we will fall and be unable to stand back up. One of the things I admire about parents is they can be completely burnt out and exhausted, but if you need them, they all of a sudden become super-mom or super-dad. You have to appreciate what you have while you have it.

My father lost his mother when he was 12 years old, and his father was abusive. My dad is my hero, and possibly one of the sweetest and most caring people I have ever met in my life and I am completely and utterly in his debt for the rest of my life because if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here right now. My mother lost her father when she was 18. The things that he used to do to support the family rested on my mom's shoulders. Even though I never had the honor of meeting my grandfather, I will say that his strength and pride resides within my mother.. as well as myself. I do not think I would be able to handle such a loss. I don't know if I would be able to move forward in my life if I lost one of my parents, and I will fully admit that to anyone who asks. Sure, we fight every once in awhile. But, I would rather fight with them about asinine things than fight with the pain of losing one of them.

If tolerance, respect and equity permeate family life, they will translate into values that shape societies, nations and the world.
-– Kofi Annan