My mom and dad have been married 57 years. My mom married my step-father(who will always be my dad), when I was 5 years old and my sister was 2 years old. They met at my aunt's house and 3 months later they were saying "I Do" and my mom was moving my sister and I from Dallas, Texas to Waco, Texas.
My mom will be 82 this fall and my dad will be 86 in a couple of weeks. One of the things that keeps them going is raising their 12 year old great-grandson(my brother's grandson). My parents have been raising Dylan since he was almost 5 years old. He gives them a reason to get up in the morning, to have a schedule and to make plans for the future. They have all been good for each other.
My mom plays bridge at least once to twice a week and continues to keep her house in order. She loves shopping and she has a flare for fashion. She is the one who keeps me abreast about the latest styles and what I should be wearing. She is a very giving person. I can't begin to tell you how many pieces of jewelry or sunglasses she has given away to others because that person made a comment of how much they liked that particular accessory.
My dad worked for almost 40 years for a Plumbing Supply Company and provided for his family. He use to enjoy getting out in a boat and fish all day long without catching anything. He was content just sitting and thinking. He no longer goes fishing. He has a hard time hearing, but he still enjoys sitting outside and watching the birds or squirrels. Most afternoons, he will drive down to the lake, which is only ten minutes from their house, and just sit there and watch the boats drive by.
I have learned to not take my parents for granted. Several years ago, I was upset with mom over something and I made a comment to a friend about the situation. She looked at me and said "at least you still have your mom". Since that day, I have enjoyed each moment with my mom.
Throughout the years, I have also learned my parents at times still see me as there young child and they want to tell me what to do. I have been on my own and supported myself for over forty years. During those times, I just take a big breath and know that they are probably reflecting on those years when they were young, vibrant and full of life. It is hard getting older, but we know that is the process of life.
I treasure our time together at the beach and just being with them!
These are the parents who taught me to "step out and to shine through" each day of life. They taught me to dream and to go after those dreams!
4 comments:
Parents are a gift. I can tell you from experience that your life will never be the same once they are gone.
I can so relate to this my parents are still alive and mostly well they are in their 70's and my mum is still taking children to day care and school and last night she had Landon sleep over again and he is only 4 well he will be 4 tomorrow. I speak to mum ever night from 6.10pm to 6.50pm it is just something we have fallen into doing.
Just lovely!!
Wonderful life story!
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