| PARENTS When you came into the world, they held you in their arms. You thanked them by wailing like a banshee. When you were 1 year old, they fed you and bathed you. You thanked them by crying all night long. When you were 2 years old, they taught you to walk. You thanked them by running away when they called. When you were 3 years old, they made all your meals with love. You thanked them by tossing your plate on the floor. When you were 4 years old, they gave you some crayons. You thanked them by coloring the dining room table. When you were 5 years old, they dressed you for the holidays. You thanked them by plopping into the nearest pile of mud. When you were 6 years old, they walked you to school. You thanked them by screaming, "I'M NOT GOING!" When you were 7 years old, they bought you a ball. You thanked them by throwing it through the next-door-neighbor's window. When you were 8 years old, they handed you an ice cream. You thanked them by dripping it all over your lap. When you were 9 years old, they paid for piano lessons. You thanked them by never even bothering to practice. When you were 10 years old, they drove you all day, from Soccer to gymnastics to one birthday party after another. You thanked them by jumping out of the car and never looking back. When you were 11 years old, they took you and your friends to the movies. You thanked them by asking to sit in a different row. When you were 12 years old, they warned you not to watch certain TV shows. You thanked them by waiting until they left the house. Those teenage years When you were 13, they suggested a haircut that was becoming. You thanked them by telling them they had no taste. When you were 14, they paid for a month away at summer camp. You thanked them by forgetting to write a single letter. When you were 15, they came home from work, looking for a hug. You thanked them by having your bedroom door locked. When you were 16, they taught you how to driver their car. You thanked them by taking it every chance you could. When you were 17, they were expecting an important call. You thanked them by being on the phone all night. When you were 18, they cried at your high school graduation. You thanked them by staying out partying until dawn. Growing old and gray When you were 19, they paid for your college tuition, drove you to campus, carried your bags. You thanked them by saying good-bye outside the dorm so you wouldn't be embarrassed in front of your friends When you were 20, they asked whether you were seeing anyone. You thanked them by saying, "It's none of your business." When you were 21, they suggested certain careers for your future. You thanked them by saying, "I don't want to be like you." When you were 22, they hugged you at your college graduation. You thanked them by asking whether they could pay for a trip to Europe. When you were 23, they gave you furniture for your first apartment. You thanked them by telling your friends it was ugly. When you were 24, they met your fiance and asked about your plans for the future. You thanked them by glaring and growling, "pleeeease!" When you were 25, they helped to pay for your wedding, and they cried and told you how deeply they loved you. You thanked them by moving halfway across the country. When you were 30, they called with some advice on the baby. You thanked them by telling them, "Things are different now." When you were 40, they called to remind you of a relative's birthday. You thanked them by saying you were "really busy right now." When you were 50, they fell ill and needed you to take care of them. You thanked them by reading about the burden parents become to their children. And then one day, they quietly died. And everything you never did came crashing down like thunder.Let us take a moment of the time just to pay tribute/show appreciation to the people called FATHER & MOTHER though some may not say it openly to their parents. There's no substitute for them. Cherished every single moment. Though at times they may not be the best of friends, may not agree to our thoughts, they are still your parents!!! They will be there for you...to listen to your woes, your braggings, your frustations, etc. Ask yourself.....have you put aside enough time for them, listen to their "blues" of working, their tiredness??? Be tactful, loving and still show them due respect though you may have a different view from them. Once gone, only fond memories of the past and also regrets will be left. DON'T TAKE FOR GRANTED THE THINGS CLOSEST TO YOUR HEART. CLING TO THEM AS U WOULD YOUR LIFE, FOR WITHOUT THEM, LIFE IS MEANINGLESS If life is a waste of time And time is a waste of life Then let's all get wasted together And have a time of our lives |