Family

Being with my family for so long, to have the parents I have and the siblings I have, I am truly grateful. They are always there when I am facing a big problem or need good advice.

Being the child who was taken care of and cared for and taught by her parents, I think as children we have a responsibility to our parents that we should always try our best for them. For example, we have to learn their ways and try to accomadate them as best as we can as they were the ones who gave up a huge chunk of something to bring us up. Of course there are sometimes when we get into disagreements or arguments with them and tend to feel angry and hatred, but we should understand that it's just a passing feeling and absolutely no rash decisions should be made. Being a child for as long as I have lived, I have learned that my parents are usually always right. No matter what they say and what they decide for us, it's usually always the right thing to do/decide, even if we get really mad over it. I have also learned that it hurts your parents hurt the most when they see you cry. Of course my parents have never said anything about it, but you can see it in their faces and everything that it hurts them alot. =(

To me, I think the worst thing you can ever do to your parents is to make them feel that they have not done a good job as one, that they have failed as a parent. We have absolutely no idea how or what they feel towards us. As we have learned from Underworld 2, Heroes and other movies, they sometimes show their love in very complicated ways!

I just think that we seriously need to take time to consider what they have done for us for all our lives, that we should remember that our mums went through the worst pain ever to give birth to us. Even if we don't have any memory of that period, or the times when we kept them up all night crying for no apparent reason, or the times when we kept spitting and kicking and throwing tantrums, it doesn't mean it didn't happen.

I also think that we should also not forget how hard they have to work to give us a good life. Think of how much we spend in a month. The phone bills, the electric we use even when we sleep, the water we drink and use to clean ourselves, the expensive handphones and clothes and shoes and school fees (for those in private schools). Money seriously does not fall out from the sky. DON'T forget that.

I guess I'm just abit mad. Because is just that I feel we should know our parents better in a way that if you KNOW that they are kiasu people, then just let the small matters drop. Why press it and make everyone upset by getting into a disagreement that might turn into a cold war? Especially the small, small matters that get turned into a big issue just because both sides are so stubborn. It just gets me so angry. Maybe because I'm a person who doesn't really like arguments and things that make people sad. Or maybe it's because I feel that it's not worth it, for something so small to let you sever your ties with your parents, or at least strain it.

Ooooh, and also I totally, absolutely do not think it's worth it to get into a disagreement or a cold war with your parents because of friends. Friends, chosen correctly, can be a great gift to you. But family will always be the greatest gift, it depends on how you want to treat that gift. Family will always, always be there for you no matter what, but friendship might fade. Most friends usually disappear at some point.

I feel that (yes, another 'I feel that' statement) it's worth it (yes, another 'worth it') to lose your face and say sorry or drop the issue or admit that you are wrong even when you feel that you are right just so that it will make your parents slightly happier or avoid an argument. Disagreements and stuff like that will always affect others close to you, especially siblings if you have any. It's true! I've been there.

There's so much to say, so many thoughts running through my head. But all I want to emphasize is that treat your family members well, especially your parents. Say sorry when you have made them upset, by sms or by email or by a note, I'm sure they'll accept it no matter what.

I'm grateful for what I've got. What about you?