Parents are allowed to make mistakes. Don't make them feel ashamed or guilty because they are only human.

They are living proof that you are in this world so don't take them for granted. Before you were 18, your parents supported you with any dream you had and would do anything for you to succeed.

The moment you turned 18 allowed them to open up to you and take your advice. They became your babies. You prided yourself in their accomplishments and successes. You became protective over them.

They are yours. You are theirs and they are yours. You were never their mistake. You were never their accident.

When they saw you after you were born, they saw your future flash before their eyes. And from that day forward, they vowed to slow down your life. To cherish and capture every moment with white knuckles and an open heart. They refused to let you grow up too fast. Sometimes you wonder they watch your life like a car crash. They cannot look away and see all your accomplishments in slow motion. Sometimes, it is easier for you to see your life in the driver's seat. All the chaos right before impact is in your head. Your thoughts colliding with the skeletal guardrail.

You brace for impact.

You close close your eyes.

Imagine this life as theirs.

Their life full of kindness and love for everything that you do. All you can do is close your eyes and think of the moment the world stopped wrapping around tree trunks hollowed out of guilt and shame.

Let me tell you, the moment you learn forgiveness of their mistakes starts with you forgiving yourself for their mistakes. When you stop seeing their mistakes as yours too.