When I was in my teens, I would get the occasional guilt pinge (well, as much as a self centred 16 year old can get) of not really DOING anything for my parents' anniversary.
I heard of friends buying lavish gifts, organising dinners, putting together surprise parties and I suppose I thought, 'am I sucking at this daughter thing?'
On her anniversary, my mother always used to say, "It's not today that matters. It's the other 364 days of the year."
Part of me thought that was a score for me - (my mother is the least guilting person in the world and we actually have to REMIND her that sometimes, as the person that laboured not only to bring us into this world but also to raise us right, she is, on occasion, entitled to throw some good old mother guilt our way.) Part of me wondered, oh my god, will Chris sit next to me in music class? (did I mention I was 16?)
But most of me didn't realise exactly what she meant until I fell in love with D. That it really is all those other days that are important.
And although it's very nice to stop and appreciate how far you've come over an nice dinner and some wine, it's also nice to make sure you do that every once in awhile, not just on the day you started the partnership.
The greatest example they have given me - besides being great people in their own right - is to always keep the laughter rolling.
Even to this day, I have seen my mother in tears, holding her stomach in laughter, about something my father did or said. To me, that's amazing.
Today my parents are celebrating 31 years of love, laughter and happiness.
And their 30-year-old daughter still feels guilt over not doing more. But perhaps, it just seems too overhwelming: How do you show appreciation to a couple who's partnership has overcome so many years? Who have set such an amazing example not only as indviduals but as a pair? Not to mention surviving four kids - four VERY LOUD THEATRICAL SLIGHTLY SELF ABSORBED KIDS? Can a bouquet or some dinner really show that?
To cliche it up, if I could be half as happy as they are today, I will be one lucky broad in 30 years time.
Missing you both and sending you hugs from Korea :)
I heard of friends buying lavish gifts, organising dinners, putting together surprise parties and I suppose I thought, 'am I sucking at this daughter thing?'
On her anniversary, my mother always used to say, "It's not today that matters. It's the other 364 days of the year."
Part of me thought that was a score for me - (my mother is the least guilting person in the world and we actually have to REMIND her that sometimes, as the person that laboured not only to bring us into this world but also to raise us right, she is, on occasion, entitled to throw some good old mother guilt our way.) Part of me wondered, oh my god, will Chris sit next to me in music class? (did I mention I was 16?)
But most of me didn't realise exactly what she meant until I fell in love with D. That it really is all those other days that are important.
And although it's very nice to stop and appreciate how far you've come over an nice dinner and some wine, it's also nice to make sure you do that every once in awhile, not just on the day you started the partnership.
The greatest example they have given me - besides being great people in their own right - is to always keep the laughter rolling.
Even to this day, I have seen my mother in tears, holding her stomach in laughter, about something my father did or said. To me, that's amazing.
Today my parents are celebrating 31 years of love, laughter and happiness.
And their 30-year-old daughter still feels guilt over not doing more. But perhaps, it just seems too overhwelming: How do you show appreciation to a couple who's partnership has overcome so many years? Who have set such an amazing example not only as indviduals but as a pair? Not to mention surviving four kids - four VERY LOUD THEATRICAL SLIGHTLY SELF ABSORBED KIDS? Can a bouquet or some dinner really show that?
To cliche it up, if I could be half as happy as they are today, I will be one lucky broad in 30 years time.
Missing you both and sending you hugs from Korea :)
Comments
just getting to reading your blog. You make us both proud. Anniversary guilt is for someone looking to recapture something they've lost. Dad and I are still, and alway will be .... laughing;)
Love ms