Father’s Day has recently passed, but it doesn’t really affect me. I’m not saying that fathers and celebrating them isn’t important — they very much are and it very much is — I just don’t have a big reason to celebrate Father’s Day since I lack an Earthly father. Being a child of a single-mother home makes celebrating Father’s Day somewhat pointless for me. Sure, I have father-figures, but I do not have my own Earthly father to celebrate and thank for raising me.

Almost a year ago, I wrote an article titled the "Three Most Important Things My Dad Taught Me." This article talked about some experiences and lessons I had and learned growing up without a father present. Whether you lack a parent, or have both, the lessons I’ve learned through not having a father are universal ones. 1. You cannot fix someone, 2. Forgiveness is so sweet, and 3. Don’t place your value in people. These lessons are still ones I continue to learn more fully. I suggest that loving and appreciating your parent(s) best includes utilizing these lessons.

I find great vitality in celebrating parents! Parents have one of the most difficult jobs in the world. Most go into parenting thinking they’ll be the best, but later figuring out and having to live with the harsh reality that they will — or have — screw(ed) up their child one way or another. Taking care of yourself is hard enough, but parents not only have to take care of themselves, they have to take care of other humans. For this reason alone, they deserve appreciation.

For me, I like the idea of celebrating Mother’s Day 2.0 instead of Father's Day. This is a day where I can focus on being grateful for what my parent has done for me — good, bad, and ugly. My mom has made many mistakes, but more importantly, she has blessed and grown me in many ways. The lessons I’ve learned from her that I am most grateful for are the difficult ones. We’ve lived life together, we’ve struggled and felt joy, cried and laughed. My mom is an individual I greatly respect and am grateful to and for. Therefore, I desire to appreciate her.

My mom once explained parenthood to me, “Sometimes I forget I’m an adult.” I think it’s as simple as that! Kids, here’s the thing, your parent(s) is just an older kid. They are humans trying to figure their lives out as well. I think it is our job to cut them some slack. No one is perfect, but everyone needs to be appreciated for their hard work. This includes parents.

Parents, whether single or not, ought to be celebrated for their efforts. As everyone is a child of someone, I hope you continue to take time out of your life to celebrate your parents, they have hard jobs.