World's toughest Job!

Isn’t it true that we “really”, really appreciate things in our life once we experience them ourselves? We cannot appreciate friendship without being a friend; we cannot appreciate love without falling in love; we cannot appreciate marriage unless we are in one (or divorced); we cannot appreciate humor unless we know how to laugh at ourselves and the list goes on…. We don't live through other experiences. We live through ours.

So, even though I have appreciated my parents a lot, until the point when I actually held my son and saw that little bundle looking at me with helplessness and wonder, I never ever, even for once think how big of a role my parents played in my life. Not even for a second did it pass my mind that the life that I am living today was given by them. I just took my life for granted, but the truth is that they shaped it from the moment I came screaming into this world. They may not be as influential in my life now as they used to be, but God, where will I be without them? It’s a question that I never want to find the answer for.

Parenting is such a tough job. At no point can you just shrug your shoulders and say “I am done. I am outta here”. Once you get into it - that is it. It takes different sort of courage to keep working on a relationship that lays the foundation for a human life when there’s no incentive for the parents in the long run. That’s why I admire my parents or for that matter, any parents, who made their relationship work through thick and thin for their kids.

I have had a wonderful life and I owe that to my parents and my family. I was not an easy child to bring up and never once have I seen my parents rattle or give up. I have a tough task ahead of me and the one question that keeps coming into my mind frequently is: Will I give for my son, what my parents gave me? Honest and truthful answer is – I DON’T KNOW. But I am hopeful, because, I realize that parenting is something you learn through years. There’s no “Idiots guide to Parenting” or “12 quick steps to Parenting” guide out there. I read somewhere that the job description for parenting goes like this:

“You need to show affection without sentiment, authority without abuse of power, discipline without aggression, humor without ridicule, sacrifice without obligation and companionship without possessiveness. “

Ugh?!!?? Sounds like a fun job!!!! Well, I need another post to explain how I have become helpless now in my son’s hand and so you can see what this job does to you!!!! :-0