‘There are parents who gave DNA and life, and then there are Moms and Dads. Literal angels on Earth.’: Woman urges ‘don’t forget just how incredibly lucky you are’

“There are parents. And, then there are moms and dads.

Some parents are mediocre. They are the parents who gave you DNA and life. Sometimes their involvement stopped there.

Some parents go in and out of their children’s lives. Sometimes with long periods of absence. They may stop at a game a season or drop off a toy on Christmas.

Some parents are good parents. They do the best they can with what they have. They may have made mistakes in the past, but they do the absolute best they can in the current.

They’re at every holiday. Now. They’re at every celebration. Now. They’re present. Now. They show effort.

My dad was eventually a good parent. While he missed most of my childhood, he made every effort to make up for lost times in my adulthood.

From age 16 on, he didn’t miss a holiday or a birthday or a baby shower or graduation. Every big and small event, he was there. Every single Sunday I picked him up for dinner.

And, some parents are Moms and Dads. They’re literal angels on Earth. People who are in your life as intricate parts of your everyday life in every way. From day one. Ya know, like ‘that’s my mom’ and ‘I need to call my dad.’

I’m 33 and I go to my mom’s house every day. We eat dinner there every night. There isn’t a single part of my life that is not touched by my mom’s presence in some way.

And, I didn’t really realize how much I was (unknowingly) taking it for granted. Until my close friend, Erika, suddenly lost her there-for-everything, and I mean everything, Dad.

The past few months of our conversations and watching her grief has been heartbreaking. And, eye opening.

Things that seem so basic: the kids’ games, Sunday dinners, Easter egg hunts…. things we take advantage of in our daily life. When a parent/grandparent is (just magically always) there for these moments and days, we tend to forget just how incredibly lucky we are.

How blessed we are. I have lost a parent. 4 years later, there are still moments it doesn’t feel real.

But, I have not (yet) lost half my heart. I have not lost the parent who is there for every single thing. I cannot imagine that grief. That loss. That empty feeling.

To those who post your heart and heartbreaking memories – thank you.

Thank you for reminding us how short and fragile life is.

Thank you for sharing your grief, and by doing so, reminding us to be present and thankful. For everything both big and small.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Jacqueline Waxman. Submit your own story here, and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories, and YouTube for our best videos.

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