Life Lesson

It is a difficult thing having to watch your parents go through tough times. Growing up they are the ones who encourage us and lift us up when we fall. When I would wake in the middle of the night and feel the night creatures creeping in, dad would still be awake in front of the blue glow of the television, ready to rescue me. Every time my heart was broken mom would willingly sit with me for hours on that comfy old couch as the tears fell incessantly. They were strong in all aspects and it seemed nothing could break them.

This was true until their parents started to break. Eventually we all grow old and pass away, and watching someone you love pass through the stages is absolutely heartbreaking. Watching someone you love watch someone they love pass through those stages is possibly worse. Suddenly I feel like I need to be the strong and uplifting one. When my father's father passed away I was the one trying to rescue him from the pain and the fear of that creature named Death. I find myself back on that comfy old couch sitting with mom, only this time she is the one heartbroken over her mother's traumas. And as I learned to do from my parents I sit for hours and listen and I tell them I love them too.

I guess as we grow older the roles reverse and this is just our fact of life. Thankfully my parents taught me well.