P.A.R.E.N.T.S

I understand that everyone may not be as close with their parents or even have the best relationships with them; however, it is vital that you not only develop a good relationship with them, but take the time to truly  learn about their lives pre-you.

It’s funny to think that they once were in your shoes living as a completely different person. Our parents had boyfriends/girlfriends, struggled with the facts of life, and had best friends they had fights with.​

This brings me back to a story my father once told me. I asked him what his life was like when he first immigrated to the States. As he recounted his life in the US (and how he was a “hot shot”) he told me a story of how he met his first girlfriend in New York. It all started with his friend giving a girl he was interested in, my dad’s number because the friend didn’t have a house phone! Can you imagine?! We can barely live without our phones stuck to the palm of our hands, and not even 20-30 years ago if someone was supposed to call you, you wouldn’t leave the house because you had to wait for that phone call!

When I asked my mom about her childhood, she told me about how she used to slightly “rip-off” her parent’s business, and started a side business of her own. She wanted to make her own money, and made sure she found a way to do it. She’s always had the entrepreneurship itch, which makes sense as to why she owned her own store for more than 12 years.

I tell you these stories to challenge you to learn more about your parents. Get to know who they were before you were even a thought. Their stories may surprise you and help to connect some dots explaining why they are the way they are. I know learning more about my parents has helped me get closer to them and helped me understand them at a deeper level. We are getting to the age where if you are blessed enough to still have your parents around, it is not guaranteed how much longer you will have together. Ask about their childhood, what was their favorite subject in school, and what they wanted to do with their life when they were twenty-somethings. You never know what you will learn.

"At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent."
-Barbara Bush

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