days of our lives - day 03

Your parents

I just wrote a lengthy post describing how awesome my parents are and as I re-read it, I realized it revolved solely around their role as parents. My parents are, first and foremost, individuals. So, I'm going to skirt around this one a bit and rather than writing something new, I'm going to use something I've already written.

Every year for Christmas, I make a gift for my family. My parents, my brother, his girlfriend, my aunt, uncle, and two cousins all get the same gift but personalized. Last year, when they each opened their box, the first thing they saw was a piece of paper that read:

After I had been on Facebook for awhile, a friend emailed me and suggested I finally get a profile picture. She sent me the Greater Than symbol with the simple explanation, "because you are." On those days when I feel "less than," it's a small but giant reminder...that I'm not.

Underneath that was a small painting of the Greater Than symbol done in either their favourite colours or colours that reminded me of them.

Finally, under the painting was another piece of paper that read:

And for the days when you need a reminder that is just a little bit bigger.

That piece of paper was taped to a picture frame, in which I had a list of "Why So and So Is Awesome." These are the ones I gave my parents:

Reasons Why Helen Is Awesome
...Because despite the fact we weren't terribly close while I was growing up, I never feel like that has hindered our relationship as adults. And the one we've worked so hard to develop as the best of friends.
...Because when we moved me to Chicago and a fellow driver was driving like an idiot, you blurted out, "cocksucker!"
...Because even though I'm 31 years old (edited: now, I'm 32!), on my birthday, you almost always wind up telling me the story of the morning I was born
...Because you took me to San Francisco (even if I had a lousy view!) (edited again: my father used to travel as an auditor and when my mother was eight months pregnant with me, she flew out to spend a week with him, hauling me around those crookedy streets and hills of The City by the Bay.)
...Because you're the only other person in the world who understands how much I miss Grandma Marion each and every day
...Because you don't treat Dad like a husband but as a partner and a friend
...Because even though we're adults and can take care of ourselves, you help Andy and I out whenever you can; in so many ways
...Because every year, other than spending it with the entire family, what I look forward to the most at Christmas is shopping and wrapping gifts and listening to Barry Manilow's Christmas CD (shhh, don't tell anyone about that last part)
...Because you stuck around
...Because of a ton of other reasons and some I've yet to discover

Reasons Why Al Is Awesome
...Because I trust you. And that doesn't come easy. Not easy at all.
...Because every time I think about the fact you named me Janelle Lynn so that it would sound "beautiful and French," it makes me smile
...Because you carted my girlfriends and I everywhere when we were younger and I'm sure, ridiculously giddy and obnoxious
...Because even though I know how much you wanted to, you couldn't bring yourself to take me to Chicago (edited: my mother and aunt drove with me out to Chicago when I moved because my dad had told me that even though he wanted to, "I just can't leave you there.")
...Because you brought me my pillow at college! (edited: I went to school two hours from where I grew up. At some point, I had left my pillow at my parents' house and NEEDED it. So, my father and I met half-way simply so I could have my pillow with me at school.)
...Because you passed on to me your bleeding heart liberalism
...Because you don't treat Mom like a wife but as a partner and a friend
...Because even though we're adults and can take care of ourselves, you help Andy and I out whenever you can; in so many ways
...Because I have no idea when it was or in what context it was but I remember you telling me, "you and your brother, and whomever you choose to bring with you, will always be welcome in this house. Always."
...Because of a ton of other reasons and some I've yet to discover

So, to sum up...my parents are friggin' awesome, mmmkay?