1. My mom always made time to listen to me, no matter how busy she was. Like, I’d come home stressed about school or life, and she’d sit with me and just let me vent without judgment. It’s something that stuck with me, and I’ll never forget how much that helped. Made me feel like I wasn’t alone in dealing with stuff.
2. When I was struggling with my first breakup, my mom showed up with a tub of ice cream and a playlist of all my favorite sad songs. We had a mini dance party in the living room—moved from tears to laughter in no time. That little gesture made me feel like I could survive anything.
3. I hated school. Few friends. I didn’t want to be there. And I didn’t enjoy reading, which made school that much harder. Mom came home from hitting garage sales one Saturday with a grocery bag of sci-fi books. I devoured them—one or two a day over the summer. This helped me in school. While I didn’t thrive, life was much easier. Without that boost, I can’t guess how my life would have evolved. How did she know?
4. My mom waiting at home with a cup of tea and cookies everyday coming home from school. That’s how I’d describe “home”.
5. My periods were really severe when I was a teen. I am talking heavy bleeding full 7 days and a fever. Every month my dad would get me my duvet and pillow from upstairs, make a hot water bottle, get me my favourite movie from the video rental store, get some ice cream and chocolate as well. Settle me on the couch and pamper me for the first 2 days that were the heaviest. He died when I just turned 18. Ever since, every month on my heaviest day I get myself some ice cream and chocolate and either put on a dvd or stream a movie. Settle myself on my couch with a hot water bottle and duvet + pillow (now I have a weighted blanket that I use) and pamper myself for one whole day.
6. They made me pay rent when I got my first job and I hated it. On my 18th bday they gave me access to “my” bank account. They saved it all up for me, so I could decorate my first apartment for free… I love them.
7. My parents made my sister pay them $500 a month for rent while she lived at home past her mid 20s into her 30s. She was always really bitter about it. Meanwhile, my dad (who is a notorious story re-teller) had told all of us multiple times a story about how he knew someone who did something similar for a kid living at home. When it came time for my sister to buy a house, they gave her all the money they had been saving for her.
8. My dad always apologized when he was wrong. I used to take it for granted until I grew up and realized a LOT of people had never gotten an apology from their parents before. This really helped me because I find it easy to own up to my mistakes and make amends where necessary.
9. I never really noticed it at the time, but all the sacrifices my mother did for me and my brother. We were poor (not dirt poor, but still), so eating out was a luxury that we rarely had. My mom would buy my brother and I hamburgers, and she would say that she didn’t want to eat because she was either on a diet, not hungry, already ate, etc. While in truth, she didn’t have anything in her stomach, and to make sure that there was enough food until the next paycheck came, she would eat only a salt cracker. I was an idiotic, moody teenager, and gave her such a hard time. Part of me wants to slap my 13 to 18-year-old self for my attitude back then. Instead of doing whatever I did back then, I should’ve studied and gotten better grades to help her feel more at ease.
10. They never forget to always remind us that we are not restricted in anything we do that makes us happy, but we should take things into consideration and be responsible for it. More importantly with what should be our priorities.
11. My father, even when we were hard up for money (my mom took him to the cleaners in the divorce because her lawyer slept with the judge presiding over the case — that’s a whole other ball of wax) made a deal with me that he upheld for six years. Every month I would get a new video game. We’d alternate months — one month I’d get to choose, and I’d favor the new hotness. On the alternating month, he’d pick cheaper stuff or a genre I wouldn’t normally choose. My part of the deal: I had to write a game review for him before we could get the next game. He read every single one. Twenty years later and I still well up thinking about it. In my wildest imaginings I could not ever dream up a father so excellent at fathering.
12. I’ll never forget when my parents helped me with a school project late at night. Their support really meant a lot to me.
13. Saving me from that orphanage.
14. They paid my way through college, which meant that I started my adult life with zero debt. I’ve thanked them for it.
15. My mom once told me I could be anything I wanted, so I told her I wanted to be a dinosaur. Instead of shutting me down, she spent a week helping me practice my roar. Not sure if that was good parenting or just her way of keeping me busy, but I’ll never forget it!
16. Strict with my education. I was allowed to do whatever I wanted (hobbies, extracurriculars, etc.) but school always had to come first. Instilled a good work ethic in me from a young age.
17. Moved us halfway around the world so I could have a better life. Two great kids and six wonderful grandkids later, I still don’t know how to thank them, especially now they’re gone.
18. My parents always made sure we had family dinners every night. Looking back, those moments kept us connected even when life got busy, and it’s something I want to continue with my own family one day.
19. Mom made me spaghetti for my birthday. We were on a really tight budget but she still provided me one of the best birthdays I’ve ever had.
20. Always having a safe place I can come and crash without judgment. My husband and I lived with them for 5 months so we could finance IVF and rent our house out. I had a pregnancy two months in and was stressed about losing it (from previous losses). Every milestone, we celebrated together. I’m 33 weeks now and I don’t know if we could have done it without their support.
21. Stepped into their bedroom because I thought they were being attacked by a ghost… I was 7 and they were NOT being attacked by a ghost.
22. Taught me the “don’t tell your mother” technique. Thanks to Dad, I now have a black belt in sneaking extra snacks and getting away with questionable decisions.
23. Telling me to stay at home, save money, not rent an apartment, and save for a house. Bought my house in 2019. Definitely lucked out.
24. One of the best things my parents did for me was always encouraging me to pursue my passions, no matter how unconventional. They supported my love for art, even when others said it wasn’t practical. That unconditional support taught me the value of following my heart.
25. Instilled in me a love for reading.
26. We were pretty poor growing up. After high school I was working two jobs to support myself and help my parents. My Mom would sometimes wake me up with homemade biscuits brought to me in bed. She showed love the best way she could. Once when I was twelve and had a difficult period, my dad — a former WW2 medic — gently asked questions about my pain and reassured me. I miss those two characters.
27. When I was a kid my dad was incredibly critical of the music I listened to. Suddenly, when I was 13, he started listening to the same music as me. We bonded over “The Eminem Show.” He later became more up-to-date on music than I was. He still air-guitars like a god.
28. I’m adopted and I have never once felt weird, unwanted, or like a secret. I was raised knowing I was adopted, taught it was normal, and always knew my family loves me. That’s priceless.
29. One thing I’ll never forget is when my parents saved up for months to take me to my first concert. They made a whole day out of it, including a homemade concert T-shirt. I still remember their faces when I saw my favorite band perform.
30. Helping and teaching me in answering my homework back in the day.
31. They took me hiking in the Slovakian mountains regularly. I learned to climb, endure suffering, and appreciate the beauty of nature. An awesome gift.
32. Supported me unconditionally during tough times without judgment.
33. When I was 14, I lost one of my best friends to aggressive abdominal cancer. My dad bought me a hair dryer I didn’t need just to make me feel better. The next day, when I skipped school, he let it slide despite being extremely strict. He just felt sad for me and wanted to help any way he could.
34. Making sure my friends with not-so-great home lives had food and clothing.
35. Grateful my parents bought me things. My mom always made me lunch for school before going to work.
36. Giving the best advice in all of my problems. They always had the best answer. Missing my dad.
37. My dad gave me my work ethic. He worked hard and set the example, yet was always there for games and events.
38. Set me up to enjoy classical music and reading. As an ESL kid, this helped me speak excellent English and appear (and become) more intelligent.
39. My mom stayed with me at the hospital every night for 6 months during chemo.
40. My mom learned English while working 3 jobs so she could move us to England and give us a life full of opportunities. She passed too young, but she saw me graduate. I credit her for everything I’ve achieved. I miss her every day.