Loving-kindness from Parents

A saying in the Chinese culture says, "You only realize how loving your parents are until you start taking care of your own kids." ﹝養兒方知父母恩﹞ Well, I am still child-less at this point, but I can tell you that, "I realize how loving my parents are as I start taking care of myself." ﹝養「己」方知父母恩﹞

My parents moved out to a new apartment just a month ago, leaving my brother and I (and our new roommate) alone in the house we are living in right now. That means we have to cook ourselves and do housekeeping ourselves. Also, we have to take care of bills and do groceries shopping. Not having done those tasks a lot, they were first quite overwhelming and tiring. In the old days, when I go home from school/work, I would just be resting, minding my own business and waiting for dinner. Nowadays, if I am off work in the afternoon, I would either have to get groceries, and/or have to start preparing for dinner as soon as I get home. Sometimes I'd prepare the food before I go to work so that I have something to eat when I get home. Of course, the three of us take turns to cook/make soup/do dishes, but at least one of those tasks would happen to me every day.

With all that, I get tired a little easier at night. That's good; it actually makes me sleep earlier. It also makes me realize how hard it has been for my parents to take care of the family when my brother and I were still young.

I didn't want to leave apart from my parents again so soon, but I knew God was trying to tell me that it's time for real independence. So even though it is a little hard to adapt this new lifestyle at the beginning, I still thank God for it. Each challenge God gives me is something to prepare for my future, and He will never let me experience something I cannot bear. Furthermore, I learn to appreciate my parents more.

As a small reminder to all of us: Honour Our Parents, whether or not we live with them at this moment. They have worked so hard to nurture us (even though they might not have the best temper on earth) and nothing can replace their loving-kindness. For those who are still living with their parents: I hope you enjoy the times while you still can. :-)