Honor Thy Mother and Father

In this last stretch of waiting for my round 2 Clomid results, which I suspect are negative, not out of pessimism, but rather out of self-preservation, I thought I would take some time to reflect on two people who have been so very supportive during this whole journey—and really, during my entire life—Mom and Dad.

First, an explanation. This year for Lent, my family decided to eschew typical sacrifices in favor of a new idea: each family member will take turns picking a “sacrifice/action item-of-the-day,” which will be communicated by group email, and everyone in the family will practice that sacrifice. Then, the next day, a new family member proposes a new idea, and so on, and so forth. Today is Day One of this unique experiment, and my dad has appropriately suggested the first challenge: Honor thy father and mother. Well, all right! They certainly deserve my honor, today and every day.

I have not been an easy child to raise—I know that. I have massive amounts of creative energy that more often than not, I have no idea how to harness, and because of this, I can be moody, bossy, dramatic…the list goes on and on. I am also the oldest child of five, and this comes with its own unique set of personality-shaping circumstances and implications. It allows me to exercise my bossiness a little too freely, that’s for sure…but it can also make me jealous—jealous of others’ time and attention—and that is one of my worst qualities. I’ve been making a real effort at self-improvement these last few years, but still, the bratty little Emily can’t help but rear her ugly head sometimes!

Throughout my life, one thing I could always count on was my parents. I’ve told them multiple times over the past few years that I really have come to realize how lucky I am... in the sense that I really do get "everything I need" from them as a pair...physically, emotionally, spiritually, and beyond. My mom and dad are very different, but their differences are so complimentary that it’s easy to perpetually view them as  a “unit.” But they are two amazing individuals who, while they certainly make an amazing couple, deserve their own respective credit as well.

Mom is and will always be my best friend. She is funny, outgoing, friendly, and so kind. Throughout the course of my childhood and young adulthood, she has taught me so much about sacrifice and love. Not only is she passionately dedicated to family, to the extent that she rarely, if ever, missed a single softball practice or voice recital or tee ball game, but she is also dedicated to strangers and their families as well. Time and time again she has counseled young women on the brink of collapse, taken in runaways, and donated her time/resources to helping causes that others view as worthless. She is a soldier, and a warrior. She presses on despite criticism, despite resistance, despite hatred. She radiates love, and I am lucky to simply be in her orbit. Not only is she an amazing woman of God, but she’s also a great friend and listener. I feel that I must have worn her down this past year with tears, woes, anxieties, and fears…but through it all, she remains my trusted confidante, a shoulder to cry on, and my biggest cheerleader. I am beyond blessed to have a mom like mine. And she’s the only person who truly appreciates my frequent trip-and-fall stories! Possibly because some of that klutziness was inherited from you-know-who!

Dad is, and will always be, another one of my best friends. Corny, yes. But truly, my parents are leaders and friends all rolled into one. Dad is the hardest worker I know, and he soldiers on day after day, all without complaint. Not only does my Dad work as a partner at a large law firm in the city, he also serves on the board of a prominent Catholic organization and donates his time and resources to his faith. On top of that heavy load, he offers his services to friends and family, including my husband and I!, as legal counsel and a friendly advisor. I honestly don’t know how he manages everything—he’s a super hero if there ever was one. Although my siblings and I are very different, with unique talents and interests, Dad has always made an effort to encourage and support us in any endeavors we’ve undertaken. Specifically, my dad has always been the biggest advocate of my writing, and has worked to foster my love of the arts since I was a little girl. Writing has been so cathartic for me over the years, and I know I have my Dad to thank for that. As well as he writes, he is also known for his wisdom and advice. If ever I had a problem that I couldn't solve, my Dad would propose a dinner at Cida Thai, a bottle of wine, and a thoughtful conversation that always led to some sort of resolution. I would not be the person I am today without my Dad, and I am so, so grateful for his presence in my life. I even wonder if someday I will find myself puffing on a stogie like my dear old Dad?

And, of course, as I continue to battle the terrible horrible awful enemy that is grief, my parents stand beside me, on the front line, fighting right beside me. Their prayers and support help me to be stronger than I feel I can be. And I am still standing because of their amazing love.

How’s that for honor? Honestly, they deserve much more. I love you both, and I’m SO VERY PROUD to be my “mom/dad’s” daughter.

xoxo,

Em