Parental Guidance

Not really a big fan of public display affection when  it comes to my parents, specially on my teenage days, but everything has changed on my 25th birthday, a lot of things happen that may have caused the change, either that year was the start of me getting my own place to live independently, or I just got older. I started saying "I love you" to my mom that never happened before and got a better relationship with my dad. I then realized how come we never appreciate them as much as we appreciate a stranger's small courtesy? As little as not preparing our breakfast right could break all hell loose for the day or could even last as long as you can remember, but never been given them thanks for giving us clothes, food, and everything that they have. On the other hand, a perfect stranger like a waiter for an example, gives you an extra smile, courtesy, greeting, rapport and it will be greatly appreciated and could make your day perfect and their day as awesome for the tip that they got from us.

I remember a story of a young boy running away from home because he was yelled at, and he just realized that he has not eaten dinner. On the streets of Manhattan he was starving and smelled good food at a nearby restaurant. He was at the backdoor when the cook saw him and asked, hey! What are you doing out here? It’s late and this is no place for children. I ran away from home, said the boy. It was about to rain so the Cook asked him to come in and offered a hot soup, the kid was hungry, but was shy and said, I have no money to pay for this. It's on the house!! The Cook said. The boy cried and was moved by the kindness and felt that he was in big debt, he then asked, how come you are so kind and gives food to a total stranger and my mom is so cruel she was yelling at me and chased me out of the house. The Cook signed: why do you think so? I only gave you a meal and you felt that way. Your mother had raised you since day 1 and why were you not grateful and ran away? The boy was surprised and asked, why didn't I think of that? He then rushed home and as he arrives home, his mother was dead worried in tears, they hug and they kid said he was sorry.

We all appreciate the small things that a "nobody" gives us and blindly let pass the great deeds our loves ones have sacrificed just to see us smile. Why?

-Howard