Gratitude Dude.

Well, I think I've finally hit that point.  "What point" you say?  The point where you're old enough to stop looking at the world through hungry eyes that flash with desperation.  You know - desperation to be recognized, to "make your mark", to have all of your wildest and most selfish dreams come true.  The point where you are able to take a good, hard, slow look around and realize that you have a LOT to be grateful for.  Is this what they call........maturity?!  Nah, couldn't be....I'm only 31.  But it's probably something very similar, or maybe even a little taste of it.  Either way, the other day I was looking at the TV, watching some show about troubled kids being parented by surrogate "tough love" parents for a week.  It made me think about my own childhood.  It made me think about my teen years.  It made me feel like that was a lifetime ago!  While watching that program, I think I actually had a glimpse or small understanding of how hard it must have been at times to raise me.  It made me feel very, very grateful for my parents.  It helped me[admittedly, in a limited sense]understand how hard they worked to provide for me.  How much they sacrificed for me.  How much they tried, and how they did the best they could.  Honestly, I don't know how common a thing that is anymore.  It really kind of clicked in a moment, and humbled me.  I wasn't always the easiest person to put up with.  I didn't always try my hardest, or my best.  I did things that they disagreed with, and even when they told me how they felt and what they expected of me, I did them anyway.  I was dishonest and disrespectful at times.  Through all of that, they loved me.  They made some of the best moments in my life possible, because they cared, and they put up with me through my worst, even when I didn't deserve it.  That, is amazing love.  Now of course, looking back, I wish I could revoke every one of those moments that fell short of the mark, because they deserved better.  Obviously and unfortunately that is impossible, but I can absorb and use what they have taught me.  I am so very appreciative of the nurturing parents that they were, and the supportive and encouraging parents that they continue to be.  I think about the people in my life[family in particular]a lot.  I am fascinated by the choices God made and makes.  I firmly believe in God's plan, and His greater awareness.  I think it's absolutely incredible that out of the billions and billions and billions of human beings who have graced and presently reside on this planet Earth, God chose THOSE two people to be your parents[my parents], don't you?  One of the ten commandments is "Honor Thy Mother and Father".  Think about the selection process!!  We are darn well supposed to honor them, because God thought very long and hard about that decision!  I think it's amazing, and I think my Momma and Daddy are amazing for stepping up to the plate.  The older I get, the more understanding and grateful I am becoming.  Now to just work on that darn maturity.........!!