As college students, we're stuck in this place somewhere between being adults and still needing our parents. I'm extremely stubborn and I like to think I can take care of myself, but honestly I still need their help sometimes.. okay, a lot of the time. Every time I thank my mom for throwing a little grocery money in my account, she tells me that I'll be repaying the favor by taking care of her one day.
Honestly though, can we ever actually repay our parents for everything they have done?
They gave me life.
First and foremost, I wouldn't physically be here if it weren't for my mom and dad. 23 years ago, they decided they wanted to take on the challenge of having not only one child but their second. Nine months later they were blessed with a sassy little baby girl and I've been making them question their sanity ever since.
They gave me a huge family.
No two families are alike. There are so many different combinations of family members, and none is better than the other. Because of my parents, I have been blessed with siblings, nephews, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins who I couldn't imagine life without. My extended family has always been too close for the word "extended" to even feel appropriate. We get together for almost every holiday and play card games, drink wine, and share endless laughs.
They cared for both my physical and emotional needs.
I never went hungry, cold, or lonely. I know that doesn't seem like much, but the most important part of growing up happy and healthy is the necessity of meeting the basic human needs. Along with that, I always had someone to talk to when I had a bad day. When I lived at home, we had family dinners at the kitchen table and played any and all kinds of games together.
They supported my interests and talents.
I played numerous sports and participated in choir all through school. No matter what I wanted to try or participate in, they supported me. Between my brother and I, we were constantly bopping around from city to city for soccer, softball, or volleyball tournaments. Even when we both chose a college far away from them, they helped pack up our things and were right there as we moved into our new homes.
I could do everything in my power to try to repay my parents for the life that they provided me- who knows, maybe I'll become successful enough to buy them a house and allow them to retire in the mountains. Even then, I don't think it would ever be enough to break even. I have been more than lucky enough to have everything I have ever needed and more, and in my opinion, I could never repay my mom and dad for that.
