Slow Motion

Heather's lesson on Parent-child relationships on Monday night really got my wheels churning. It takes me back to six years ago, to when I found out that my mom had cancer. My mom and I were never very close and my dad and I would go hang out on the weekends and my mom would stay at home. It's not that I didn't want to be close to my mom, we just never found a way to tear down the wall and be close. There are so many things that I wish I could go back and say to her and do for her that I didn't do and so many things that I did say and do to her that I wish I didn't. I felt really guilty about it for a long time. But, then I realized that I was just a kid and that my mom knew how much I loved and cared about her. My dad and I's relationship has changed tremendously since my mom passed away. We aren't as close as we used to be and know I have my stepmom and we have to share him in a way. It is really hard sometimes. I mean, we hang out, go out to eat and go shopping together, but it isn't the same. The older I get, the more I wish I had my mom here. I really feel that we would be closer now and that she would be my best friend. Just thinking of her brings tears to my eyes. I haven't talked about her or cried about it in a long time, but I think about her everyday.

All of this rambling is to say that you should cherish your parents. Tell them and/or show them as much as you can that you love them. You never know when they could be gone. I never thought that I would be 17 years old and not have my mom to see me graduate, go to college, get a degree, get my license, etc. I know she is in a better place, but it hurts like crap, for lack of a better word. Spend time with them, love on them and let them know that you care. Believe me, you don't want to have to regret how you treated them later. Just a thought.