Giving Happiness

In my last post I wrote about my dad, whom I love, cherish, and worry about.  This post is dedicated to my  mom.  My mom and I have not had a blissful mother-daughter relationship, and it's been a rocky road for as long as I can remember.  She's still my mom, and I love, cherish, and worry about her too. One of the greatest gifts I could give her this Christmas was the opportunity to come visit me in South Carolina for the holiday(s).  I will not deny that I didn't have many, many reservations about this.  Afterall, we do not see eye-to-eye on life, and I don't understand any of the choices she has made in the last 20 years. However, I knew that if she could get a glimpse of my life, she would rest easy, and know that she did raise me with the confidence to be who I am today. That I'm healthy and happy and for the most part, well adjusted.  Which unfortunately is a luxury, I know this.  I'm incredibly grateful for the upbringing I had, and I often think about the children who aren't as fortunate. I also think about the people who haven't gotten through their growing pains, and can't seem to get past pain in their life.  I'm not religious, but I'm faithful, and I know that things happen for a reason, but sometimes reasons are unknown, and that's when you have to "pick yourself up by your boot straps" and forge ahead.  Maybe it's easier to do when you are so far removed from the places in life that caused  you pain. I don't know.  When I look at my mom I see a very attractive, mature lady who has class and style.   She keeps a positive attitude, but there's always a sadness in her voice that I can sense.  I believe that everyone deserves happiness.  I also believe that everyone has to create their own happiness.  This is the one thing I wish for my family... create your own happiness in 2012. Take the good, leave the bad. Break the chain and make your own life for you, not everyone else. Celebrate little things. Look ahead, don't look back, but learn from the past.
I used to always fear becoming so much of a perfectionist like my mom.  As I've grown up, and really grown into my own person, I no longer fear this.  I have all of the good traits from both my parents, and I try to be conscious of the traits I don't want to have, and I work to overcome the weaknesses that I see. No one is perfect, I'm certainly no exception. My mom isn't perfect either, but she was a good mom during the most formative years of my life. She and my dad both gave my sister and I a lot of unconditional love that many children today don't experience. This past week, she continued to give me that unconditional love, even in my own house, where I'm sure I don't do things the way she did/ would. All in all, it was a long week, for me... but I know that it was one of the most joyful weeks in my mom's life. Knowing this, knowing that I could give her a brief week of happiness was worth the little bit of discomfort for me.

Welcome to the 21st Century!

In the midst of being thankful, cooking a family feast, and celebrating with my husband's family, there has been a lot going on with my very own blood relatives on the opposite coast.  When I made the move across the country 6 years ago, I never imagined the worry and anxiety I would feel periodically about how my own parents and sister are faring in life.  Ridiculous, I know.  I dedicate this post to my father!  My dad has owned and run his own restaurant for 24 years. I respect him immensely, even though I haven't agreed with every decision he's made.  I love him. He's the man that always told me I could do whatever I set my mind to!  He's the man that taught me life isn't always easy, but if you work hard, and treat people kindly, good things will come.  He's also the man who has run his restaurant sans a computer and works 7 days a week, constantly spinning his wheels.  He's also the man who hasn't taken a true vacation in probably 15 years (maybe more).  With all that being said, his life is about to change drastically, hopefully for the better because he's finally stepping into the 21st century.  My sister and I have taken it upon ourselves to just buy him a computer and get him set up so that he can make some changes to his business, and hopefully be able to slow down a bit.  I guess because I consider myself a life long learner, I am constantly learning new things and embrace change.  This I'm sure I did not learn from my father.  We've been trying to convince him to get "computerized" for a decade. Easier said then done. Well... "V" for VICTORY because  this past weekend my sister took my dad to the Apple Store and he's entered a whole new world!!!!! I'm proud of him for embracing this new technology and can't wait for him to see how much easier his work life will become.
Running a restaurant is no easy feat.  I've watched first-hand how other people's enjoyment in dining out is my father's daily grind to make sure it is enjoyable. And doing this alone is definitely no easy feat.  Even though I worry about my dad, and think of him everyday, I know that he's a workhorse and perseveres through the toughest of times.  I'm thankful him and my mom, even though separate now, were selfless in giving my sister and I the tools and the confidence to conquer the world, or atleast go after our dreams!  Now it's our turn to help our parents.  Which isn't always easy when you live 3,000 miles away.  The computer will definitely help though!!!! I'll end in saying that last night when I called to wish my dad a Happy Thanksgiving, it was a relief to hear him excited about his new computer. It was a relief to hear him refreshed and looking forward to making some much needed changes to his restaurant. Most of all, it was a relief to hear him happy to join the 21st century!