Raise your hand if when you see your mom and dad, you see HEROES. *raises BOTH hands* I often associate sunbeams and rays of light with my Gram, as I imagine she’s looking down on me from heaven and sharing unspoken, yet steadfast, encouragement. With all of the crazy/hard/weird times we have experienced in the past 12 months, I’ve started seeing catches of light in people, as much as I do in those precious sunbeams. Naturally, since my parents have always been encouragers, when I look at them I don’t just see the light, I feel that all encompassing warmth. Some people say their parents are their biggest supporters, and in my case, truer words have not been spoken. With gloomy weather forecast for the rest of the week, this feels the right time to give a shoutout to MY parents, and parents everywhere, especially those of grown children.
While I cringe inside (and sometimes even on the outside, for realz) when I think of all the times my parents have bailed me out in one way or another, all I really see is love. And strength. Along with compassion, patience, grace, understanding, even empathy, as we all tend to make certain mistakes no matter what, due to just growing up. I know my parents have been angry, sad, disappointed, and even heartbroken at times, but through it all, I’ve always been held and loved. If that’s not heroic LOVE, I don’t know what is.
My dad was gone a lot growing up, he was a US Marine, and traveled more often so we could have a stable childhood and not move around as much. Sacrifice. My mom was basically a single mom during those times, to twin girls, to really immature twin girls. SACRIFICE. Through college, work, boyfriends (some really bad boyfriends), crazy friends, pets that we left at home while we “did our thing”, y’all, TOTAL SACRIFICE! And you know what? My parents have never once held those things over our heads, reminded us of how, um, youthful we were, or made us feel bad for all of the mistakes as we grew into adulthood. Even in adulthood, I’m still open to learn; and even though they’ve taken a hands off approach, advice or an ear is always waiting for me when the need arises. (hint: it arises often) H E R O E S. Straight up amazing, intentional, selfless, encouraging and all around the best heroes, in the form of parents.
How awesome is it to be in the midst of heroes? Like, really, it’s AMAZING, a true gift, and when it’s gone, I mean when they are gone, we don’t get this time back. We will be left with sunbeams, cardinals popping by to say hello, a feather in our path, and memories. GO HUG YOUR PARENTS if you live close. If you don’t live close, call, text, snapchat, facetime or facebook message them, whatever it takes to reach out. Encourage your kids, their beloved grands, to do the same. Ask questions, listen, and heed those rich words of advice from certified, bona fide heroes.
Life is short, friends. If you didn’t have a good relationship with your parents, it’s not too late. If your parents weren’t, or aren’t present, look for a hero in those people that had an impact on your life growing up. Capture the light when it’s close, lovelies, capture it and hold tight, and make it a point ……….. to be a hero to someone in your life.
With Sunbeams and Love,
Racheal Xx
