Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
This holiday is not to be confused with the "Global Day of Parents," which is observed on the 1st of June every year, per a United Nations declaration.
Here are 7 qualities of a great parent:
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My Dad's Three Life Sayings That Have Changed My Life
These three life sayings created by my father, that have helped me get through life.
06 July 2023
695
Photo by Mohamed Awwam on Unsplash
Have you ever heard of those old wise sayings? Like "Money can't buy you happiness" or something like that? Well, for me, my dad always had three. He is the wisest I person I know, and now, I understand all three.
Your Mouth Can Be Your Worst Enemy
We all grew up talking back to our parents and getting punished for it. Every time I did that, my dad would always say those simple words "your mouth can be your worst enemy", and then just walk away. I never liked hearing that growing up. I thought it was dumb, but probably because I was too young to understand. Now, at 21, I have realized a lot about his saying. Anything we say can affect how the next actions or words will occur. If we take time in our minds to realize what we should say, then a lot of situations could be handled differently. I know that if I didn't back talk, I could have had a piece of cake or not have had to go to bed so early. It can be hard when situations are difficult, but it is up to us on how we should respond.
Crumbs Are Food Too
Have you ate your food and had little bits left over that you thought were nothing, so you didn't eat them? Yeah, me too. At dinner, my dad would remind us that our crumbs are food too. I always thought he was just being too extra with making us eat all of our food. Now, I have a completely different outlook on this saying. My dad works extremely hard to provide for my family. Nothing in life is easy or free, so eating all the food that was presented to me, is a way to say thank you. I would not have had those meals if he had not worked long days in the heat or in the snow. He was just teaching us to be appreciative of the small things we have and others don't have. Not everyone gets to eat dinner every night, so being thankful and eating all that has been provided, is a major thank you.
Work Will Set You Free
I know what you are thinking. And no, my father did not get this saying from Hitler. I live on a farm, so everyday there is work that has to be done. My siblings and I would cry and roll our eyes at the thought of stacking wood or hay everyday. It was miserable. And all we would hear is "work will set you free". I hated those words. And when we would take forever doing the farm chores or not doing what we were supposed to (like running and hiding, thinking he would forget), he would add more to the list of chores, which meant no play time. Now as a senior in college, I definitely keep this saying close to me. If I do as I am told or supposed to, correctly, the first time around, then I can go out and play and have fun. In college, if I do my assignments on time, then I have free time to hang out with friends! In life, if we can listen and manage everything effectively, then we can still have fun.
Never Doubt The Power of Your Dad
I hope that the next time your dad says some corny sayings, that you too can look at it from these perspectives. After all, a father's love and advice is the best thing we can get in this world.
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Dear Dad,
Thank you. Those two words are simple but hold such a bigger meaning to me.
Thank you for every sacrifice you have made for this family.
Thank you for fighting for me.
Thank you for choosing to be both a mother and a father.
Thank you for every day you braided my hair and dressed me up.
Thank you for the late nights you worked, so that we were living a happy life.
Thank you for the many, many days you came home bone tired, yet played with us.
Thank you for every laugh you have given me.
Thank you for every memory you have helped build.
Thank you for every birthday party you planned alone.
Thank you for every school event you showed up to and cheered louder than every other parent.
Thank you for kissing every scrape and bruise better.
Thank you for mending broken hearts.
Thank you for supporting me in every decision I have made.
Thank you for loving me through every mistake I have made.
Thank you for pushing me to be the best that I can be.
Thank you for being the person I can confide in, that I can tell anything. (Even if you don't wanna know)
Thank you for giving me a wonderful, beautiful, amazing childhood.
Thank you for making my teenage years fun and exciting.
Thank you for helping me through my crazy twenties.
Thank you for being your crazy, supportive, sometimes hilarious self.
Thank you for allowing me to grow.
Thank you for loving me.
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Anyone who has a Facebook page or frequently goes onto the Odyssey’s webpage knows that “Open Letter To (insert beloved person/object here)” articles are way overdone. I have come across hundreds, thousands, maybe even millions of them, and they all say the same thing: thank you so and so for inspiring me and making me the person I am today -- blah, blah, blah. They're all the same. They are ridiculously overdone, so here is the letter to end all open letters.
Open letter to my best friend.
Dear Best Friend,
Wow, we’ve been through so much together. We’ve had our ups and downs, but no matter what, we always end up laughing. From our late night ice cream and movies to taking a spontaneous Instagram-worthy vacation together, everything has been an adventure. Even though we’ve only known each other for two months, you know absolutely everything about me. I don’t know what I would have done without you by my side.
Thank you for making me into the person I am today. #blessed.
Open letter to my mom.
Dear Mom,
Thank you for always being there for me. Friends come and go, but you have always been here to support me. Even though we can never agree on anything, I will always ask for your opinion on everything. Remember all of those years where I thought you weren't cool? Well, that was out of love (obviously). At least I would like to think so now. I’m really sorry about all that. But you put up with me because you love me. Because you have to. Because you're my mom.
Thank you for making me into the person I am today. #blessed.
Open letter to my dad.
Dear Daddy,
Thank you for being my #1 supporter since day one. You taught me how to be competitive and how to fight back. Your stubbornness and willingness to stand up for your beliefs were passed down to me, and for that, I am forever grateful. There is no one who I look up to more. No matter how old I am or how many stupid mistakes I make and regret, I’ll always be your little princess.
Thank you for making me into the person I am today. #blessed.
Open letter to my future husband.
I haven’t met you yet, but I know that you are perfect and that you will love me and I will love you. Even though you will be flawed, you will have so many good qualities that I find attractive [insert unrealistic checklist for future husband here]. After we get married, our life is going to be a fairytale. We are going to travel the world, buy a nice house on some land, have four children, three dogs, and one cat (because everything always goes according to plans, right?). Have I mentioned that I already love you so much even though we haven't met?
I know that you will make me be a better person, so I'll go ahead and thank you in advance. #blessed
Open letter to my pet.
Dear Pet,
I love you. In fact, I love you more than most people. Unlike the judgmental humans that we are, you love me unconditionally for who I am (at least I like to think so). Thanks for always being there. You always listen to all of my problems and cuddle up with me when life gets rough.
Thank you for listening to me when no one else will (which basically made me into the person I am today) #blessed.
Open letter to my hometown/favorite place.
Dear Hometown,
Thank you for giving me the best place to grow up. I know that while I was there I complained about how I hated it, but now that I’m gone, I miss it more than anything. What I wouldn't give to go back. *sigh*
Thank you for giving me memories and experiences that have made me into the person I am today. #blessed.
In case you couldn’t figure it out, some of these summaries were slightly sarcastic while others did hold some truth. In no way am I bashing the open letters that have been published. They hold meaning, personal feelings, and values to the authors - especially when the letter is addressed to a specific person -- and I respect that.
Like the other authors of online open letters, I love my parents, friends, pets, or whatever else is being written about dearly and am truly blessed to have all of them in my life. Of course, I want to thank them for everything they've done for me, but I feel like there is a better way to do that than by sharing online letters written by other people. If we want to show others how we truly feel, we need to do something more personal. We need to do something significant that shows a greater appreciation -- something that requires more work than three clicks of a mouse.
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Featured
18 Ways To Show Your Parents You Love Them Without Telling Them
Sometimes actions are louder than words, especially for parents.
16 June 2023
807
Photo by Madison Harpham
1. Do the dishes
Don't be scared to do small chores for your parents that make their lives easier, and don't wait until they ask you to do it.
2. Make dinner
It is a kind gesture.
3. Take out the trash
Likewise, doing a simple chore without being asked first really helps.
4. Get good grades
Your hard work proves to them how much you care!
5. Come home before curfew
Don't let them worry about you!
6. Pump gas for them
Sunny, rainy, windy, cold, no matter what the weather is, always offer to pump their gas.
7. Take care of your pets (if you have any)
Walk the dog without being told to or clean the litter box without having a parent remind you.
8. Make smart choices for yourself
Make sure to make smart decisions. Don't lie to them about where you're going or who you are going out with- it could end up being a dangerous situation.
9. Do the laundry
And by that, I mean their laundry included.
10. If they ask you to do something, do it right away
Don't wait hours to do something they asked, do it right away. It shows some respect.
11. Thank them
It doesn't have to be a long hand written note. Even a small "Thanks for dinner, Mom!" or "Thanks for picking me up, Dad!" can go a long way.
12. Take them out to eat
Treat them! They do a lot for you, do something kind for them!
13. Get a job
It shows that you are capable of taking care of yourself, and relieves them for paying for certain things.
14. Keep your room clean
Parents usually hate a messy room.
15. Keep yourself clean
I assume self-hygiene is always implied in most households. Just take care of yourself.
16. Offer to pay for things
Even if it is something small like a candy bar, I'm sure they appreciate it.
17. Try your best in everything
They love to see you succeed!
18. Celebrate Mother and Father's Day, even if it's something simple
It is their day, make it special.
It's not that hard to show simple gestures of kindness to your parents. Make sure you always keep them in mind- even if it is just small things.
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Camp Kupagani
Dear Mom,
This morning I woke up at 9:47 a.m. It was that perfect time in which I was both well rested but also felt like I still had much of the day in front of me.
This morning I woke up at 9:47 a.m. to four texts, two missed calls and a voicemail all from you.
The texts started asking about how my day was going and asking where I left that bottle of lotion I borrowed. They progressed into wondering if I was still asleep and ending with three dagger-like words: “I’m getting worried.” I can only imagine your anxiety when I didn’t pick up the phone the first two times followed by your insurmountable urge to leave a voicemail desperately requesting I call you as soon as I get it.
Mom, despite the fact the first words I coldly mumbled to you when I called you back were “It’s only 10am,” I want you to know, I love that you worry.
It pains me to think of your thoughts wandering to scary, far off places, but it comforts me to know that I’m being thought of in the first place. Every time my phone buzzes and I have a message or call from you, the 962 miles between us doesn’t seem so vast.
I want you to know that I worry too; I worry when we’re together, and I worry when we’re apart. Mostly, I worry that you worry too much.
I guess that’s why I’m my mother’s daughter.
Thinking of you always,
Your Daughter
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