We often think of our parents as, well, just parents. They feed us. They clothe us. They house us. They love us. Most importantly, they give us never ending money from a supply we think will never run out, but they efficiently manage and worry about it daily to ensure we get to go to that out-of-state basketball camp or that study abroad history trip in Spain. Heck, even buying our sparkly notebooks for the first day of school or our marching band shoes and gloves can cost them a pretty penny.

We see them as invincible and don't think of them not being around someday, but the reality is that while we are growing up, they are growing old. We don't see that as young kids or even teenagers usually; however, some of us realize it sooner than others.

I do massage therapy, and while giving each of my parents massages and giving other parents massages, I started to think about how much wear and tear us kids put on them physically and emotionally. Hauling us to band practice, football games, dance recitals, track meets, doctor's appointments, and sleepovers. Taking care of our stomach aches, high fevers, headaches, broken bones, loose teeth, allergies, and muscle cramps that all come with growing up. They sacrifice their time, health, and sanity to keep us happy and healthy, yet we don't say thank you because they are "just parents." They have stomach aches, headaches, and muscle cramps too along with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diminished sight and hearing, and back problems. Why don't we sacrifice to help them?

So to my generation, say thank you. Rub dad's feet after work. Do the dishes for mom. Because some day they won't be there to do everything for you. Keep growing up, but show them that you understand they are growing old, and you appreciate them and all they have done. Sacrifice for them just like they have all these years for you.

I'll be the first to start by saying thank you. Thank you, mom and dad, for getting me to rehearsals, practices, games, performances, recitals, sleepovers and everything in between. Thank you for my never ending bank account. Thank you for supporting everything I do from singing to learning a billion different instruments to playing sports to practicing massage (I think you both enjoy that one though). Thank you for keeping me healthy by taking me to the dentist, lung specialist, podiatrist, optometrist, chiropractor, and my family doctor. Thank you for loving me and my sister even when we fought and broke things that meant a lot to you. I love you.

Do your parents know you love and appreciate them? Go show them before you've grown up, and they are gone. Getting old isn't fun, but at least they can feel happier knowing they haven't wasted their time with a child who doesn't care. Care for the ones who cared for you.