I have come to appreciate the smaller things within my life recently. Wait! Let me rephrase that; I have come to notice and appreciate the smaller things in my life more (I have always appreciated what I have, just more so now). I was listening to some friends talk about paying their bills, going to school, and needing to work three or four jobs just to make ends meet. It made me start thinking about how easy I really do have it! I am so grateful for parents who value education.
When I was younger my dad used to always say, "You will go to college! You will become something! You will do whatever it takes to get that accomplishment!" At the time I thought my dad was a bit controlling (telling me what I will and won't do). However, as I have become older I now realize he only wants the best for me and I am thankful for the extra little push. When it got closer to me graduating high school and getting ready to attend college I started to think about what school I wanted to attend. After careful consideration I had it narrowed down to two, Weber State University and Idaho State University. My parents being the level headed adults that they are told me to: "research, compare, make a pro and con list, etc…." Well, after researching, comparing, and making a bunch of different lists I wasn't sure if I could afford either school!
Since my parents value education so much, they have always said: "As long as your in school, you will always have a place to live, food to eat, and a car to drive" Not everyone has understood this concept. Many family members, former co-workers, and just random people have made statements like: that is just wrong mooching off your parents like that. Or other comments like I couldn’t allow my kids to do that, don’t you want to move out and get away from your parents, I don’t think I could still live at home with all the rules and such. First of all, I do not mooch off my parents---if I could move out I would! I had dreams of moving out when I was 18 and never coming back, but I also don’t want to be one of those people who move out and then back in every time something gets tough. My dad has been a big reason why I still live at home. Every time I mention moving out he always comments with: “what’s the rush?” Secondly, I don’t live by my parent’s rules---in fact I have never had rules to live by. My family lives by common courtesy, if you are going somewhere tell them, if you are going to stay out late-tell them, I have never had to ask permission to go out or stay out late. Even when I was in high school they always said—don’t be home too late (and I never was). I respect my parents and they in return respect me.
My parents chose to get married young and have a family. They have always counseled my sisters and I that education should come first; mainly because I think they regret the choice they made not to get an education. They struggled their first few years of marriage and they have made it very clear to us that an education is the only way to avoid the struggles they made. I never dreamed of living at home this long however, words cannot describe how grateful I am to have parents who have allowed me to live at home while attending school and to have a better life for my future.
So, I realized while listening to my friends that not only do I have it easy only needing to pay for my tuition, but that I also have some pretty awesome parents who only want the best for me!
On a different not, here are two haiku poems I have written (not titles yet). Many of the things I write have been dealing with life and death. I am not exactly sure why it has been my inspiration, but I will work with it!
Friendships come and go,
love burns within then fizzles
Life isn't as short
Rain drops tap the Earth
God has made it clean again
Life's new beginning
Thanks for reading!
