It’s been a month since I last wrote a blog post, which means it’s been a month since my mom last visited. I find it extremely difficult for me to make time to update my blog on top of all my other duties, such as baby rearing, recipe development and test cooking, play dates, house cleaning, dog walking, and getting my eight hours of sleep so that I am not a zombie bitch while doing all of these things. Which is why I’m very grateful for my mom and the invaluable help she has given to my family and me. Without her, I wouldn’t be able to have a life, I wouldn’t have gotten the first part of my master’s program completed, and I wouldn’t have gotten a chance to breath and reflect on all that’s happening in my life. It’s way too easy to be on autopilot while cruising through life.
However, life with my mom visiting for weeks at a time is not perfect. We are very similar, which is something my husband likes to constantly point out, so we argue quite a bit. My mom is the typical bossy Asian mom, and I like to be in control of my own life. Sometimes I feel like she thinks I’m incapable of raising my own child, which makes me question her child rearing techniques since she’s the one that raised me to be who I am. If I’m incapable, then it’s her fault, right? But despite our butting of heads, I know I’m lucky to have such a wonderful mom.
Speaking of wonderful parents, I also appreciate my dad and the rock that he is. He always has sound advice, and interesting opinions and thoughts about the world around us. He has had a very full life with plenty of adventures that could fill a book and even make an interesting movie or documentary. Much of that life he put on hold or sacrificed to ensure that I would have a stable, loving, and encouraging upbringing unlike his. Without my dad, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
I’m not sure why I’m being all sappy and professing my love and appreciation for my parents in this post. It wasn’t what I originally planned on writing about. Perhaps it’s because I’m a parent now and I finally understand everything my family has done for me in order to raise me to the best of their ability. I understand what it means to love unconditionally, to worry constantly, and to aim to live life fully. It’s amazing how clueless I was before I had a child. Maybe that’s why my parents worry about how I’ll be as a parent, since I was so clueless just 10 short months ago.
I love my mom.
I love my dad.
I love my new family.
I’m grateful for the life that I have.
Happy 75th birthday, Pops!
