Day Nineteen: Disrespecting My Parents
This topic is kind of vague. Is it asking me to discuss what I think about disrespecting my parents? Is it asking me if I disrespect my parents? Have I? I guess it's up to me to interpret it how I see fit.
I have definitely disrespected my parents in the past. I don't think I did it intentionally, in the sense that I set out to make them mad or sad or whatever. I was thinking selfishly, which comes naturally to almost all kids.
For example, one time my dad asked me to apologize. I can't remember what I said or even to whom I was being asked to apologize but I refused. I said that if I wasn't sincerely sorry, I shouldn't say it. In my mind, I was being logical but obviously, I was being stubborn beyond reason. So we argued back and forth and when I remember the tone I took with my dad, I cringe. If I heard someone speaking to their father like that, I would say they needed a good smack.
Another time, I remember finding out that my parents were declaring my tuition on their taxes so they would get a tax break. I was furious because I was the one paying for my tuition. My dad tried to explain to me that I wouldn't get anything if I declared it on my own tax forms but I wouldn't listen. All I heard was that they were taking money that was *rightfully* mine. I told him (told him!) that whatever they got back from it was by rights my money. He (correctly) reminded me of the roof over my head, the food in my mouth and all the other many things my parents provided for me. I wasn't having it. In the end, he said, "Fine. I'll write you a cheque." Well, that shamed me well and good. Looking back, I'm so ashamed of the way I acted.
I'm sure there are a thousand more instances of when I disrespected my parents. I'm not proud of any one of them. I'd like to think that I've matured and that the times that I've disrespected my parents within the past five years have diminished significantly.
We just don't give our parents enough credit. I'm not embarrassed to admit that having a kid of my own has opened my eyes in many ways. You try to do the best for your children but oftentimes they only see what you did wrong.
So, sorry Mom and Dad, for all the times I've disrespected you and disrespected the love you gave me.
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