Growing up I always took my parents for granted. All the times when they asked me how my day was, or drove me back and forth from place to place, or even spent hours in the freezing cold watching me on the sidelines, I never thanked them. I never thanked them when they called me countless times wondering where I was or when I was coming home. I never thanked them when they nagged me to clean my room or put my dirty clothes in the laundry basket. Never once.

As I got older the thought of leaving home and being independent and free to do as I wanted was thrilling. The idea of not having to take orders from my mom or dad or make sure my bed was made before I left the house was music to my ears. But when that day came, when I was finally away at school in my tiny little dorm miles away from home I wanted nothing more. I missed every second of home and every second of my parents. Not having them call my name countless times to let me know dinner was ready, or ask millions of questions before I went out, or even wish me a goodnight before I went to bed was sad and troubling. For the longest time I failed to appreciate all those little things my parents did for me. It was not until my first semester away at college, that it hit me and I truly realized how my parents were my greatest blessing.

Though my parents may drive me crazy from time to time, they are the reason for my entire existence. They are the reason I am able to go away to school and pursue a college career. They are the reason I have a roof over my head and opportunity to live a beautiful and fulfilling life. They are the reason I can explore and see the world. Everything I have and everything I am is because of them. Without my parents and their unconditional love and devotion to me I would be nothing.

That is why we must appreciate our parents for every little thing that they do and everything that they are. Our mothers and fathers do such things because they care. They annoy us and drive us insane because they love us. They devote their whole life to us and to our success because we are their greatest pride and joy in life.

So I thank my mom and dad for their selflessness and hard work. I thank them for all those moments that I failed to appreciate as a young adolescent. Thank you for being my greatest blessing in life. You mean more to me than I could ever put into words.