This I Believe
When I was born, all I knew was my parents; my father’s voice, my mother’s touch, and their shared undying love of me. As I grew and developed they were always there for me. They taught me to walk and talk, they taught me to ride a bike and write my name, they taught me how to be a responsible and goal oriented child, and they taught me right from wrong. And even though they taught and taught, I still found myself messing up over and over again in my life. Every time I felt I failed them and felt they were disappointed in me, I was wrong. Through all the failures and all the messing up, I found that no matter what, my parents love me.
I remember when I was three and my sister had gone off on her bike to the park with my dad. I remember leaving my house and walking to the park only to find that neither my sister or dad were there. I turned and went home at that moment only to find my family in distress. My worried sister and brother seemed happy to see me back home, but my parent’s angry faces I will never forget. I knew right then in my little three-year-old mind that I was in big trouble. Looking back it is amazing to remember how I felt I had failed them even at that young age. When they talked to me the scolded me harshly for leaving the house without any notice and they told me never to do it again. I remember my mother shedding a tear and that made me feel more of a failure. I felt terrible and like they hated me, but that is where I was wrong again. Right after the scolding and warning my mother grabbed me and just hugged me and told me she was so worried. I thought they were so disappointed in me, but soon I realized they were just worried. Worried about my whereabouts and what they would do if they lost their youngest daughter. They loved me.
Through bad grades and bad days they have always been there. Through days when it seems I hate them and I feel they hate me I know they love me. Through all the times I misbehave and go behind their back they probably should hate me. Through the times of lies and threats, the times of sadness and defeat, the times of hate and love they are right beside me. I know and believe every time I fail myself or them and feel as though I can’t get back on my feet, that they will be their lifting me up. I believe that no matter how many times I fail in my life and no matter how many times I mess everything up, my parents will always, always love me. This I believe.