I dropped Carver off at school this morning and then went to run a few errands. As I was walking through Target, I walked past a woman who struck me to look a lot like my mom! My first thought was... "boy... if I didn't have my mom anymore... that would have just upset me". Then I got upset anyway and then I thanked God that I still have my parents!
When I got home... I felt compelled to write them a letter. I had to write it because I could never say what I was feeling. I was crying like a baby just writing it!
I have been blessed with two wonderful Christian parents who sacrificed so much and still do so that we (my brothers and I) have a good life. Are they perfect... no! Is anyone... no! But God definitely blessed me from the start when he gave me Howard and Katha as my earthly parents!
As I have gotten older and become a parent... and finally understood more about being a wife ... our relationship has changed somewhat. I have my own opinions and my own way of doing things. It doesn't mean that the love I feel for them is not still there. I am just doing what it is that they taught me to do... be my own person and try to be the best one I can be.
As they have gotten older, I can tell from what they say and how they act... that this is a hard stage for them right now. They are both in their mid 60's. I think as retirement has come for my dad and is thought more about by my mom... it has been hard on them. Their children are grown with their own families. They have put so much of themselves into raising us and providing for us. I can only imagine how hard it is when you realize that your babies are not babies anymore and their babies are not babies anymore! (Carver is the youngest grandchild) None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow and I can imagine as you get older... that becomes more and more of a reality that you have to face.
That being said... when I saw that woman in Target... that was the very first time that I had ever seen anyone that resembled my mom so closely. I don't think I have ever even seen someone that resembled my dad that closely. Knowing how I was feeling and knowing (or thinking I know somewhat) how they are feeling... I just felt like I needed to tell them how much I love them and how thankful I am for everything they are and for everything they have done for me. I am thankful that like my Father... they love me even though I don't deserve it!!
I needed them to know that when the day comes that I don't have them anymore.... they will be missed! Not a day would go by that I didn't think of them and miss them. I needed them to know that my life would be less happy without them in it!
Don't we all need to know that we are loved that much!?!?
